It’s weekend, so I figured let’s do something chill for a moment. This past week, Daniel Craig said that the world is ready for a black James Bond.
So I figured let’s put a list of 10 possible candidates for Black James Bond. Since Obama is going to be in the white house soon, it’s time to have a colored agent 007, his Aston Martin will be blasting with hip-hop and R&B. I count out Denzel and Morgan Freeman since they’re old, and Samuel L. Jackson would make Bond too rated R for younger audiences especially with his mothaF*in’ remarks. And I’ve also excluded Cuba Gooding Jr. since I still haven’t recovered fully from the mental injuries I sustained from having watched Daddy Day Camp.
These are 10 black actors, some American and some are Britons, who may not all be on the top of their game but they got some qualifications to exercise the license to kill.
10. Mekhi Phifer
I admit Mekhi may not be the first thing that comes through your mind when you think of James Bond. Mekhi’s career alone hasn’t been the most flattering resume, but hey, he’s a make-believe doctor so he knows how to heal himself if wounded on the field, invincibility is part of James Bond’s trait. And anyone who’s dealt with Eminem and the tough city of Detroit (8 Mile) can certainly take on any tough secret spy mission.
9. Chiwetel Ejiofor
He can do American accent so well, you’d never tell he’s actually an Englishman. The man’s talented when it comes to acting that’s for sure. But his performance as the martial artist in Redbelt is what qualifies him to be an agent. In his mind, when he’s being cornered, there’s always an escape. A helpful solution in a dangerous world of James Bond.
8. P. Diddy
This rapper turned actor is probably the only one so far who has loudly announced his interest in playing James Bond. He does not have the look, we can all agree on that, but just look at it this way, he’ll never have to worry about money. In Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig’s James Bond had to go to his friend for help after his credit card was canceled by MI6. Hell, P. Diddy is loaded with cash, he’ll have his girls fly him from one place to another.
7. Terrence Howard
Losing that Iron Man gig to Don Cheadle doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Terrence Howard got the Hustle & Flow attitude, ruthless and determined. And he’s proven from the movie Pride, that Daniel Craig isn’t the only one in town who can be in the water with swim short speedos (Casino Royale) and still comes out lookin’ like a straight man.
6. Jamie Foxx
Don’t look at Jamie Foxx in Ali, Ray, or Collateral, just look at his roles in Miami Vice and Dreamgirls and know that he can be ballin’ like a James Bond material. Not to mention that James Bond is known sometimes for his wit and catchy one-liners. Foxx can go blind and still pull it off like a natural.
5. Taye Diggs
Taye may be unlikely, a long shot, if you will. He’s still struggling to find a gig that suits him. But his short-lived TV series Day Break is evidence that this is an actor who can withstand physical challenges that a James Bond movie would demand. He just needs to smile less and be more act more serious.
4. Derek Luke
One of the most impressive, talented young actors around. Doing drama,.. no problem! (Catch a Fire, Antwone Fisher, Lions for Lambs). Can he do Action? I think with the right training and coaching, he’d be able to have that on-screen presence worthy of being in the same level as any Hollywood’s action super star.
3. Adewale kinnuoye-Agbaje
This is a nomination from Rama’s SCREEN reader Ryan who thinks Mr. Eko from TV’s Lost would be a good choice, plus he’s an Englishman. He’s got the physique and the attitude, I’m sure he’ll wear the tux and drive the car and drink the martini just fine. But I very much doubt he’s a ladies man. James Bond is a womanizer. It’s still possible, Adewale just needs to come up a shorter stage name
2. Idris Elba
In recent years, Idris has been a supporting actor in so many gigs. Can he be 007? Obama would say “Yes He Can!” I’m a big fan of Idris’ character Stringer Bell in TV’s The Wire. Someone who can calculate the next steps and isn’t afraid to plan a murder on anyone who gets in the way. Sound’s familiar? The name’s Elba, Idris Elba!
1. Will Smith
One of the most versatile black actors in the world. He has the big screen presence that can attract audiences and box office money, which is a good thing for the producers of Bond movies, he can do just about any scene. He’s badass (Bad Boys), he can survive a car chase scene (I, Robot), he can drink (Hancock), he doesn’t share much about himself (Seven Pounds) he can work with gadgets and make his suit look good (Men in Black), and he knows how to work the women (Hitch) or at least he thinks he does.
Ok… was it a joke to use the term “colored”?…. and to say that he’d be blasting “hip-hop and R&B”? Thats such a stereotypical music selection. Wow.
Thanks for the shout-out, Rama!
I agree with kT, since we’re talking about British Bond, the term should have been “coloured” and he’d be blasting 2 Tone music.
According to Wikipedia, Colin Salmon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Salmon) was seriously considered for the 007 role.
Cheers,
Ryan
Does he have to be British?
But I looked up Colin Salmon… and yeah, I could see him as James Bond.
I remember him in The Bank Job.
There’s something about Bond pledging allegiance to the Queen…so English at best and Canadian at the very least. LOL. I guess since non-subjects like Americans can’t be knighted…it just feels like Kevin Costner as Robin Hood all over again.
Or it’s just a sexist double-standard, since Gwyneth Paltrow would make a spectacular female 007.
According to the ever-reliable Wikipedia (LOL again), the closest American to be Bond was none other than Quahog mayor Adam West, and he reportedly didn’t feel ‘British’ enough for the role.
LOL!
Adam West
That cracks me up
Good finding, Ryan! thanks for the info
As far as American Bond is concerned..
it doesn’t have to end up as disastrous as Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
My point is this…
if foreigners like Christian Bale and Russell Crowe could pull off playing American rugged cowboys..
then it is more than possible to have an American James Bond.
Right now, in my opinion, Robert Downey Jr. is one of the few who could do British accent down-pat!
I think Colin would be perfect but the only thing that would go against him is his age.
Adewale seems very promising. I haven’t seen him act but I have seen some of his interviews. He would definately be on my top list.
As for an American actor being 007… I would say HELL NO! unless he is a spectacular actor and can pull of a really good Bond then yes. In the case of Will Smith, I adore him. He is a very dynamic actor. He would definately be #1 on my list of potential American Bond but the question is…. can he pull off an mean British accent?
I am 100 % against Jamie Foxx being Bond.
Since we are talking about the possibility of a non-white Bond…how about an Indian/Asian Bond?
Rama’s SCREEN Reader Ronald once susggested there should be an Asian James Bond.. so then we could call him..
“Secret Asian Man!”
Get it? LOL! I know.. that was very cheesy
hahah.. that was funny.
Who would you cast for that role?
Asian: Daniel Henny? (he is half korean and british)
Indian: ???
I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with Daniel Henry
What gigs has he done?
As far as Indian Bond goes..
Naveen Andrews form TV’s Lost.
He’s Indian descent and he’s British
Daniel Henny:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2024644/
Saw him in a korean drama called Kim Sam Soon.
Soon to be David North in the movie Wolverine.
I can see it now…
“My name is Bond..Rick James Bond…”
Ha! LOL!
That’s a good one, Lonnie
Definately Idris Elba!
He handsomely becomes the character of Bond, in my opinion,
who’d fill the role perfectly as James.
Everyone loved him in “The Wire”
With rugged appeal, yet a refined classy disposition,
a bit like my fave Bond, Sean Connery.
He appeals to women of all races and compared to all the other
possibles he’s a relatively fresh face.
Elba has a sultry English accent, which Americans seem to find soo hot
plus he’s a good actor and seriously Sexy!
He gets my vote
[...] white guy with a black man? Daniel Craig agrees, as does Rama of Rama’s Screen, who compiled this list: 10 Candidates for Black James [...]
for a start they are all a american and you cant have that in james bond and next things propbabley wouldnt work because it just isnt james bond
No one on the the list has the sophisticated but dangerous persona down more than Chiwetel Ejiofor. Watch Chiwetel in Serenity and Red Belt, you will see that he should be the next Bond hands down. Some characters do need to be portrayed by actors of the same nationality. I’m American and I’d hate to see an American Portray James Bond just I would hate too see a non-American actor portray Captain America. It would just take away the authenticity of the character.
I hate to say it but we blew it for a black james bond when we did Undercover Brother.
Ha! LOL… that movie had its funny moments but for the most part it was dumb.
To be honest I don’t believe any of these guys are qualified to be the next James Bond. Non of them have the class or actions in their careers to represent ‘The’ image of a ‘real man’. I was going through these pages of James Bond and around the 10th page yesterday and the 2nd page today, I came across A photo and article on Lord Toph. So I googled and did a bit of research on him. Now he seems to be qualified. He is an artist, a writer, a singer, and a producer. He is a very handsome man if you ask me. So move aside Will and others, Lord Toph is comming through!
I nominate myself to be the first African American James Bond. All those guys are great actors,but we know them specifically for one or two good movies or T.V shows they have done. So when see them as Bond ,your not seeing Bond your seeing the character you last seen them act as. I’m an actor but not as big as these guys yet, so when you see me it would be more believable as the first black James Bond. Check out the treatment I have written already,it’s on my website under my blogs http://www.nextcat.com/demarco I also have a script that is complete as well too, check out the treatment though , Peace.
I am staggered by the above list… James Bond is quintessentially English – & your list comprises primarily American actors – (whilst I understand the concept of acting), would an American play Mary Poppins? (it’s a rhetorical question).
As we bellow yes to the aforementioned question, “we are ready for a black Bond” therefore there’s simply only one chap for the role – and he embodies every characteristic of our favorite spy (our very own) COLIN SALMON!!
Mr. Salmon is confident, suave, attractive, mysterious and has real gravitas as an actor… and quite honestly this beats small and blonde ever time, (even if it’s perfectly formed)! sorry Daniel.
Colin Salmon wouldn’t be a bad idea..
I do believe Colin Salmon has been in a few Bond films and it would be quite silly for an under-character to become Bond. It wouldn’t make much sense.I’ve been keeping my eye on the “underdog” of all this. Lord Toph. Bond has, for the most part, been an “unknown” actor or face. I think i’m going to keep my cards and bets on this Lord Toph. He seems to be the right pick. If this black Bond thing ever happens.
Colin Salmon is the first and last choice as a Black Bond.
Although some of you have stated that an American could play JAMES BOND, ABSOLUTELY NOT, under NO circumstances is an AMERICAN to play James Bond. Nothing against the Americans, but James Bond is English and shall always remain English, the only people that are entitled to play James Bond are the people who belong to a country under the Queen’s Ruling, If America is willing to submit to Her, then there is a chance, actually it’s their only chance. It don’t matter how good of an actor they are, it’s still the Principal that they’re not under the Queen’s ruling.
Anyone that suggests an American to play an English Icon should be shot for it…
America don’t hate us because we have James Bond, Harry Potter and anything else that you envy…
I am not hating on the American’s, they just need to realise this is one of those times that they can NOT get their shot at the James Bond Limelight.
Dennis Haysbert: If he lost a little weight got toned would be perfect.
That’s alright Ned, I understand. You have James Bond, we have Batman, it all works out….wait a second…Christian Bale is Welsh….Dammit!