Idris Elba Tweets About James Bond Casting

Christy, Ben, and Matt talk about the reignited rumors surrounding Idris Elba and the next 007!
Let us know if you're ready of Elba to step into the James Bond Franchise in the comments below.
#TYTNetwork #TheYoungTurks #WhatTheFlick?!

[@1shlooney]

Christy is right, It really sucks when great actors with a lot of range like Idris Elba get stuck doing an easy role for years.

[@rob_4227]

To me the thing that broke Elba from being bond is that Craig signed up again for another movie and as Matt said, By the time they finish their production with Craig, it’s probably too late. I mean I love the guy, I would watch Elba do bond at any age, but I’m not casting and I’m not making the decisions.

[@serbancapraru8559]

If they're looking for a way to revitalize this franchise, they should go retro. That's the trend right now. So they should quit the Nolan grittiness, and go back to retro 60s camp. Oh, and Elba would be freaking awesome.

[@Archivist82]

serban capraru Would love to see some Roger Moore era campiness. Idris Elba in space, anyone?!

[@welovetofloat]

Matt....cleaning up that shade!! Lol

[@ElLuchadorSolitario]

As I said in the pop trigger video about this, I was all in favor of Idris playing Bond a few years ago but at this point I feel like he's too old. Also, I've had my fill of the super gritty bond portrayed by Craig and I'd like to see the franchise return more to its roots with Henry Cavill who exudes that classic Bond vibe and badly wants to play the role. The director of Casino Royale preferred him over Craig but he was deemed to young at the time, so this the perfect time for him to step into the role.

[@FattyCakes24601]

My one problem with Idris as Bond is his age. If he wants to do two films, fine. But he won't be able to do the role for as long as Daniel Craig has

[@kapa1611]

1:11 "that makes him as old as Roger Moore was, and he did more Bond movies than anyone"

[@jkolness1994]

I clicked because the thumbnail was Christy chugging her giant ass mason jar water and this just needs to be a shirt already.

[@harrycannon3927]

It doesn't matter who they bring in that's not the problem with the franchise at the moment. The Craig era, while fine in parts, has been rather dull because in my opinion it takes itself too seriously, flying in the face of what the personality of Bond films has been for over 50 years. They can have serious stories and villains, but use wacky gadgets and tongue in cheek jokes, i.e. the silly innuendo names lots of the original Bond girls had.

[@cjwright79]

The entire Bond franchise is just depressingly irrelevant and has been for years. The public is so desperate for escapism from the drudgery of their lives they'll go see anything that offers the vaguest possibility of entertainment. It only sticks around because it has the pedigree of having stuck around this long already. GoldenEye was top-notch entertainment and that's about it.

[@bascal133]

I just think they haven’t casted him yet. Look at Lang, he’s old and still kicking ass, I think idris can do it

[@chrisjohnson8033]

Idris Elba is 46 on 6th September. That'll mean he'll be 47 before Bond 25 is even released. It would take until the following September to announce him as Bond. They won't want to announce anything until Bond 25 is out of cinemas worldwide & been out on Blu-Ray/DVD & streaming services worldwide. So he'd have just about turned 48 before being announced as the next Bond. He'll be in his early 50s before his first Bond film would be released. About the same age as Daniel Craig when he exits the role. There is no way the Bond producers will cast anyone with the intention of getting only about two films out of them. Since there has been an average gap of 3/4 years between films in recent years. He'd be not far off 65 if he were to follow a similar path to Craig. Ideally you'd cast someone in their mid 30s. Age 50 is when an actor should be leaving the role. Beginning at 50 is crazy.

[@chrisjohnson8033]

He's 10 years to old to begin with. It's just not going to happen. He'll be 46 next month & he looks 46. I presume when he's 56 he'll look 56 too. You can't cast anyone too young or too old. It just doesn't fit with the character. OO agents would be retired off if still alive no later than 50. They wouldn't have the experience to do the job until early to mid 30s. Basically Daniel Craig. Minimum 4 films. 3/4 year gap between each one. Nobody wants a 60 year old Bond. regardless of their abilities to age well.

[@JAContes]

Agree 100%. Any time they change the actor who plays Bond, they have to be looking for someone who is physically fit and in their mid 30s.

[@domainofdotart6125]

They blew their chance to make James Bond a code name when they visited JB 's home in "Skyfall" It they had chosen another name they could have made all the bonds part of one universe.

[@littlsuprstr]

dan stevens should be the next bond

[@MobiusCoin]

Ooh, I like that idea.

[@debapriyoghosh5017]

Ray Purchase...Wonderful idea! Even Sam Claflin would suit it to a tee:)

[@Thecoolguy463]

I just want this to happen so I can see the reactions of all those who disagree with Bond being black.

[@cireyenned]

The Cool Guy except nobody actually cares

[@Thecoolguy463]

EDman00x scroll down buddy

[@cjwright79]

so you're gleefully anticipating hearing silly opinions from stupid people. Why exactly? To make yourself feel superior?

[@Thecoolguy463]

Chris Wright why would James Bond being black make me feel superior lol? It just amazes me how triggered people get at these things so it makes for good entertainment.

[@seal3081]

Hes too big of a star tbh. Usually they find some english actor who does smaller parts.

[@Fangtorn]

What you mean? Idris Elba is a British actor mostly famous for TV roles. I'd argue he's just as much of a star now as Daniel Craig was before Bond.

[@whoknew2273]

More chance he play a villain in a Bond film because that what the UK would want

[@MaiHead92]

It's funny how these people on WTF?! can't even critique anything if that goes against the SJW mentality. Matt is trying to point out that the guy is too old, which is true, and instantly Christy just turns it into some ageism bullshit with "what's wrong with 45?". Jesus christ you guys can't even think for yourselves. The guy is too old to play Bond by the time that Craig is done with his last movie. Also, why suddenly turn James Bond into a black dude? Is there a good reason for it, or is it just for the sake of diversity? Since the beginning the character has been white. Why change that? Make a new detective show with a black lead if that's what you guys desire, stop forcing it. How would people feel if we did a rendition of Shaft with a white guy?

[@cjwright79]

Christy happens to be 45 as well, but you're so eager to be offended that would never occur to you. Both born in 1972.

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

I doubt it as he would not bring it up if another actor is currently under contract. That would be a major breach of protocol so no it's not happening. Also, of course, he would be around 50 when he starts. Makes no sense.

[@streampunksheep]

Craig hated the hell out of these films because of the stunts.

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

tubepunksheep I'm not disagreeing. It's obvious he's doing this last one purely for the money...just like he said before. But Elba is still too old. Too much of a risk of him getting hurt at this point. Brosnan was let go when he was in his early 50s.

[@kevinpro6483]

Henry Cavill would be a better replacement!

[@ChipWhitingtonIII]

Wrong color. Don't want a white Shaft either.

[@Tom44224]

Why would you possibly care what colour he is.

[@rodrigodealvarenga9057]

Elba as the next Bond? P L E A S E!

[@theking7634]

I was thinking more the guy who played The Black Panther. what do you think?

[@danicapiquero1180]

Yes!!!! He has a lot of charisma gosh!!!

[@Gavin48]

Isn't Bond a Spy? Aren't Spy suppose to be able to blend into crowds? A very tall Black guy would stick out like a sore thumb at the type of parties Bond has to go undercover to.

[@squamish4244]

Yeah, because it's not like Bond goes all over the world to places with all sorts of ethnicities. And parties in those places, which also have rich people. Wtf? And Britain itself today is rather less white than it once was. I mean, over half of London's population is not white, and Bond tends to hang around there a lot :P

[@Gavin48]

valar What websites are you looking at? Britain is still very White. It's only London where there is a slight decrease. Also the parties Bond goes to are very elitist. Who are the Elite? White People. Plus Idris doesn't look like he is a Rich socialist Black Guy. He is like Tom Hardy. "a bit of rough". He's no Chiwetel from 12 Years a Slave.

[@squamish4244]

Wikipedia, article on demographics of London. It's less than half white now...that is not a "slight decrease". And it's changing fast. Also, there are many billionaires in China, India etc. Look it up. The global elite is very real. But you already knew that. Seriously, you can troll better than this.

[@Gavin48]

valar But Idris doesn't look rich. Hence why they cast him shows like Luther, RockNRolla and The Wire. He doesn't have a Bond Look. PS I live in the UK and I can tell you that's fake News

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Clive Owen comes the closest, in demeanor and style.

[@commandZee]

Bond meh. Idris is badass as Luther, DCI John Luther. "ALICE!!!"

[@chrisjohnson8033]

He's good in Luther but the show is awful.

[@DeeKay84]

yeah, idris is great, but he is 45. the next bond will not start filming until 2020/2021 at best. idris ten years ago , a definite yes. now.. not so sure. same with tom Hardy. he is tom hardy, like tom cruise is tom cruise. now if you could get John David Washington to do an English accent. that's a possible winner. food for thought?

[@robin.s.]

washington is nice i'd like to see tom hardy give it a try

[@will6757]

Too old Too famous And if you haven’t noticed he’s black

[@bigraviolees]

+Celtic Fan ... To Black? Celtic Racist loser

[@will6757]

bigraviolees I didn’t say “too black” I said “he’s black”. I like Idris Elba but Bond has been white for over half a century so I’m not racist! Plus you spelled “too” incorrectly.

[@bigraviolees]

+Celtic Fan .. Bond has never been the same guy . They need ONE movie that addresses this and shows James Bond is a designation. Every few years they hire a new agent deemed James Bond 007. English. Muslim, Samoan James Bond

[@will6757]

bigraviolees From Dr. No-Die Another Day Bond was the same Scottish guy when Craig started they rebooted it. There are many reasons that show that it isn’t a code name such as Moore visiting Tracy’s grave in FYEO or when Anya mentions her in TSWLM or when Felix mentions her in LTK so up until DAD they were all playing the same character. And it isn’t a code name in Craig’s timeline either because in Skyfall on Bond’s parents grave it says their surname is Bond.

[@vgrg7841]

Im sorry. This is not a racist thing, and I'm not a racist but having a black James bond would totally screw up the james bond story and mantra just like what happened to the Terminator franchise. I understand they are trying to be in an era where they want to be more open to equality in race and gender and I totally get it, but this is different in a different context. It would totally rewrite the real genuine James bond story being from Scottish and English ancestry and would totally seem out of place and miscast.

[@MobiusCoin]

It's not that he's black. It's that he's old. This should've happened 5 years ago. Isn't there another Daniel Craig movie we have to get before any of this is relevant?

[@kapa1611]

1:11 "that makes him as old as Roger Moore was, and he did more Bond movies than anyone"

[@MobiusCoin]

There's one more Daniel Craig movie next year, another 3 or 4 years at least before Elba gets his shot. That's going to make him 50 before he even starts playing Bond.

[@taggebagge]

I want mr Nigel Farage as the new James Bond!

[@lplt]

holy, he got so sour at the end,

[@movieman82us]

The he's too old talk is nonsense. Who are some of the best action stars at the moment? Liam Neeson who is in his 60's. Denzel Washington was freaking badass in Equilizer 2. 60's. Tom Cruise is in his mid 50's I believe. Even the youngest ones that I can think of are like Matt Damon in the Jason Bourne movies who is in his 40's. Dwayne Johnson is in his 40's too I believe. So yeah. Too old my ass.

[@v1deo.hunter.d317]

Please do an old Bond movie with Pierce Brosnan back one last time, he's deserves it and Bond's white, if you have a problem with white people being cast as characters who were minorities stop being huge hypocrites and trying to do the reverse

[@WaniZame]

Elba is a bit old if you ask me. Could only carry 2 films.

[@kapa1611]

1:11 "that makes him as old as Roger Moore was, and he did more Bond movies than anyone"

[@WaniZame]

And Roger Moore was terrible! he is what camped up Bond. Craig had to be brought in to rewrite the Moore/Brosnan eras. I'm just saying there is only so much convincing action we can get out of Elba and may be better going for someone in their mid-to-late 30s.

[@TheTonyEntertainment]

Wanizame agree

[@zenjii1461]

Idris Elba is great in Luther!!! I rather see him returning in a movie adaption of that series... That role suits him and is an original character!!!

[@davidleedutton]

Benedict Cumberbatch looks a little like Hoagy Carmichael, but I can't see him as James Bond.

[@Bacbi]

I'm not against him playing bond at all, and if the offer him a dump truck full of money for one or two bond movies he should take it if he feels he can do it. I just think that Craig will probably be grandfathered in but I think the next Bond is probably going to have to be really different to be accepted by todays movie going audience. And I can't help but think that if the next Craig bond gets a backlash for not updating him (which is why they really should approach his final bond movie as frank miller approached the dark knight returns, cause that way you can say "he's old and stuck in his ways"), so if Elba then gets the role I have a feeling they will try to make it feel more like if Luther used guns. I'm not opposed to that idea, Luther was a great show, and while people bitch about changes, people seem to forget that Bond has a very similar format to Dr who. It changes according to the times, when people said "invisible car? that's ridiculous". They went back to basics but still got to keep certain things which I now see gets criticized retroactively for not being progressive enough. Either way I'm really curious on both how they are going to end the Craig era and what the new era will feel like, what race Bond is doesn't really matter because he isn't like Bruce Wayne where at least for now I can't see them changing considering he is supposed to come from a very old rich family which has literally kept it's wealth and continued to grow since the victorian era. Although considering how a low budget (compared to WB movies) cw show makes a better batman show each week without batman. They could just make some half assed line about bitcoins or something and I would totally watch Elba play batman :p That would probably even be easier since his age wouldn't matter when you can hide his face with a mask. Use some age make up or CGI on Matt Smith and they could actually do a good live action version of TDKR... man I don't usually pat myself on my back but I would by a ticket to see that movie :p

[@hoodyboody]

Whats happening with Matt? He's lacking his usual hopeful charisma and seems to have stopped trying to be on-screen friendly.. and that "thanks for crapping all over my..." line.. Today's release of videos seem like he's in a foul mood. Plaster the smile on or stay off the air.

[@Heydd00]

His dad died few weeks ago.

[@JAContes]

Idris Elba would make an awesome Bond if he started 10 years ago. 45 is too old to START playing Bond. By his 3rd/4th movie he'd be in his early to mid 50s. I know Tom Cruise is still playing Ethan Hunt at 55/56 years old, but he is a freak of nature. Love the idea of Clive Owen, but there again he is way too old to start from the beginning.

[@rephan5824]

Josh Contes dude he maybe 45 but he does NOT look 45. Black dont crack, remember?

[@JAContes]

The guy has more than a few gray hairs in his beard...He's a good looking dude, and he appears to be in great shape, but he won't be able to do all of the crazy stunts that are required for portraying James Bond. Daniel Craig said the last movie practically killed him, and the only reason he agreed to do the next one was because of how much they offered him ($50M).

[@cjwright79]

Josh Contes Do we really want or need a Bond that relies on stunts to be interesting? Y'all love to rag on Michael Bay and his penchant for explosions, but stunts aren't that much more edifying.

[@JAContes]

I don't, but lets face it, that is what the people want to see in their Bond films nowadays.

[@theking7634]

I heard a white famous actor will play The Black Panther 2 in 2020. it will be terrific!

[@dan79600]

He's too old

[@gshooting]

This is James Bond not Jason Bourne.

[@kapa1611]

1:11 "that makes him as old as Roger Moore was, and he did more Bond movies than anyone"

[@dan79600]

True but it's not 1974 anymore. Regardless of whether it's right or wrong, audiences have different expectations in 2018.

[@bullsfan2021]

whhhy do they keep casting old dudes . i want to see a younger bond . the only bond that could reaallly get away with being old was sean connery.

[@kapa1611]

young people don t have the same kind of gravitas as old people have. its one of the reasons i had trouble taking the young Han Solo seriously. or kid faced Chris Pratt in Jurassic World.. plz hollywood, hire an adult ffs

[@kapa1611]

btw. i managed to build "gravitas" into my comment! :)

[@johnmilius3031]

No. Just no.

[@bigraviolees]

+John Milius ... if it ticks you off, yes Just yes

[@johnmilius3031]

bigraviolees Trolls like yourself aren't the target audience, buddy. Besides that, you don't even know why I object.

[@marymiller6188]

Excuse me...Idris is Black which means he maybe 48 but looks 38....so look for another excuse

[@dirgramsey6132]

But he's also a horrible actor lol

[@abefroman5437]

Ewan mcgregor...Obi Bond Kenobi

[@cjwright79]

way too light and flippant.

[@dwightschrute9618]

At least it's not a female James Bond.

[@xensonar9652]

A female Bond would be fucking awesome now that you mention it.

[@dwightschrute9618]

Female Bond would be box office poison. It would be like if Liam Neeson in Taken were a little girl.

[@ValisX]

Ed skein would make a good Bond

[@israfel070]

Matt is so sensitive. Chill out buddy

[@jonathanthainguyen]

Does he have something against Ben? This isn't the first time they've had an awkward moment. Maybe its just how their relationship is.

[@Reprodestruxion]

I prefer him as Doctor Who. James Bond represents ruthlessness

[@TfJedisuper]

René Moncayo I think he'd be a way better Bond than Doctor. Watch him in Luther, he's intense and very dark. I'd say he's far too dark and intense to play the Doctor.

[@Reprodestruxion]

TfJedisuper there’s been intense doctors

[@ThePolareyes53]

No

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Clive Owen comes the closest, in demeanor and style.

[@squamish4244]

If he was ten years younger.

[@v1deo.hunter.d317]

The ship has sailed on Owen being bond sadly, he's too old for it now

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

The hell you say, connery and moore weren't exactly young or young looking when they were bond. Owen has a good mix of swagger and humility/self-deprecation to be bond. He is the best candidate that I can think of. Who would you say is better?

[@squamish4244]

Yeah, but Owen is 53. By the time he actually got to play Bond, after Craig's final film, he'd be like 56-57. Roger Moore was 58 in his last Bond film and he got made fun of for his age and he was mortified that his Bond girl was younger than his own daughter. As he said, "The problem is that I was about four hundred years too old for that movie." Tom Cruise gets away with it at 56 because he's not playing the same kind of character, and he's also had some very good plastic surgery.

[@bigraviolees]

A spy doesn't have to be fuggin 29, sorry movie people. Get fukn Sean COnery back

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Clive Owen comes the closest, in demeanor and style.

[@jaycorbin6145]

have you ever watched League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?

[@v1deo.hunter.d317]

Get Brosnan back!

[@paulwilliams9278]

Idris elba to old he's same age as Roger Moore on his last james bond

[@handsomehobo4727]

Henry Cavill is born to play James bond 😎

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Nope! too classically handsome; defeats the essence of bond.

[@MichelMawon4982]

@@JohnSmith-to5ow I think Pierce Brosnan (younger) was in a similar category looks wise as Cavill, but then again as I write this, I can remember articles where people felt his portrayal was not as good as the rest. Roger Moore was very good looking too, but I think may be a little too young, lacking the debonair quality.

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Johanne E , I don't know. There is something about cavill that just doesn't seem right to me. He's got a boy next door quality to him, whereas bond is a killer; bond has an edge. Cavill just seems too young, innocent looking. Roger moore was actually quite an old bond, he was 46 or 47 when he first started playing bond, and played him until he was 58! Do you have a favorite bond? Maybe I'm just a bond junkie, but I liked all the bonds. (even timothy dalton).

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Johanne E , I don't know. There is something about cavill that just doesn't seem right to me. He's got a boy next door quality to him, whereas bond is a killer; bond has an edge. Cavill just seems too young, innocent looking. Roger moore was actually quite an old bond, he was 46 or 47 when he first started playing bond, and played him until he was 58! Do you have a favorite bond? Maybe I'm just a bond junkie, but I liked all the bonds. (even timothy dalton).

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

I think Clive Owen is closer to the bond style.

[@wbigbenw2213]

tom hardy would be a great bond in the same line as craig bond.

[@theking7634]

he is too short, but you, white boy might be right

[@gigsfunk]

Only 3 possible Bonds, Elba, Hardy or Huddleston

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Clive Owen comes the closest, in demeanor and style.

[@joefriday8607]

Why not Jude Law?

[@v1deo.hunter.d317]

All bad picks, Henry Cavil would be better and I don't want him to be Bond either (to avoid him having a monopoly on handsomeness)

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Jude law?? Are you freakin' kidding me? Hell no. NO.

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

Cavill is all wrong for bond. Too classically handsome; that is not bond, defeats the purpose of bond.

[@sharmarvgeorge]

Before Craig played the Character bonds race was irrelevant . Bond is a code name and can be any color male or female. i could go for an Henry Cavil bond thou after seeing him in man from uncle and mission impossible. ha please on tom hiddleston.

[@pduffy421]

That is not correct. Bond is white, his father was Scottish and his mother Swedish. The first book was written in the early 1950s when there was hardly any blacks in Europe. So no, Bon is white and replacing him with a black person would be yet more anti-white racist bigotry of which there is a huge amount today.

[@paulwilliams9278]

Ian Fleming in his books a white european

[@thewolverine2225]

@@pduffy421 “anti white” not a thing stop being waisted by right wing idiots

[@maximetoussaint5545]

Henry cavill should be the next james bond

[@christopherkulik6575]

Maxime Toussaint FUCK NO! hes already destroyed one classic character, no need to do it twice

[@gixxerfixxer4159]

He actually auditioned and was originally the first choice for Casino Royale, although he was turned down at the last minute for being "too young". He's in his early 30's now. He'd definitely be great at that age.

[@QuantumOfSolace1]

Too soft

[@wgjung1]

First American James Bond. I love Elba in Gladiator.

[@austinvokoun]

juan gomez hey Idris Elba is British // and he was not in Gladiator (that was Djimon Hounsou)

[@QuantumOfSolace1]

Yea - a white actor will play John Shaft next - stay tuned.

[@MrFidelo]

15 years to old

[@akash3464]

I need a Female Bond

[@epbrown01]

Emily Blunt as Bond, Jamie Bond? Will make those obligatory scenes with the femmes fatale a bit more interesting...

[@roter13]

Soon they'll make James Bond a woman...

[@Gavin48]

Give us Jane Bond

[@VexonCross]

Or just write a solid original character for a woman to play?

[@moodyguymick]

Don't be so stupid !!

[@drkimy]

I've been buying all James Bond videos, but if this guy becomes the next Bond character, I'll stop buying their videos!!

[@moodyguymick]

Elba ??? Don't make me laugh !!! NO CHANCE.

[@rodolfoofarrill8977]

Bond kind be many thing but not black ! , than is because Ian Flaming wrote bond as white That simple.