by Zack Tobin
In a recent interview promoting his new film “The Equalizer,” actor Denzel Washington said his dream role would be to play James Bond. Fans have been talking about it on Twitter with the hashtag #DenzelisJamesBond. In a lot of ways, the role would make sense for Washington. He has all the qualities of a good Bond: he’s handsome, sophisticated, and tough. But three things would make this casting choice a game changer: he’s almost 60, he’s American, and he’s black.
Most of the response that I’ve found to this idea in social media has been positive. I think race is actually the least controversial aspect of his casting, despite the fact that all six previous Bonds have been white. The problem with Washington is that he’s American, and he’s too old. But Denzel opens the door for another game changing choice that’s even better: Idris Elba, known for his roles in “Luther,” “The Wire,” “Prometheus,” “Pacific Rim,” and the “Thor” series.
Unlike Superman, who, as a comic book character, had a distinct physical appearance, James Bond, as a character from a spy novel, has gone through six casting choices since the first film in 1962.
People complained when a blond Daniel Craig was cast as 007, despite all his predecessors having black hair. But Craig proved that the color of his hair didn’t matter; “Casino Royale” and “Skyfall” became two of the beloved James Bond films of all time. Sure, Craig may look a lot more like Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan than Washington does, but the fact is, the actor just really needs to fit the “James Bond” archetype, and there is no reason why a black actor can’t do that.
But Washington is American, while Bond is as British as Big Ben. And this is a more legitimate complaint than his race. Sure, plenty of American actors can do a British accent just fine, but to have the iconic British spy played by an American would feel almost sacrilegious to some.
It’s the same as having a British actor play Superman…which happened when Henry Cavill played Superman in last year’s “Man of Steel.” While the film received mixed reviews, not too many people had any real issues with the British actor. Nothing about him appeared un-American, and I did feel like I was watching Superman. We’ve also already had Scottish actor Connery play the original Bond, who is almost universally considered to be the best.
While his race and nationality aren’t an issue,Washington is simply too old to play the hero. Granted, he is only seven years older than Connery was in “Thunderball,” but that was pushing it. With Craig already lined up for the next film in 2016, Washington wouldn’t be Bond for at least another five years. He is clearly in terrific shape for a 60-year-old, but the action scenes would have to be limited.
If the world is ready for a black James Bond (and I believe it is), for me, the best candidate is Idris Elba. And 30,000 Facebook fans would appear to agree. In an interview with BBC, the 42-year-old actor said he would accept the offer, but he wouldn’t want to be known as “the Black Bond.”
“I just don’t want to be the black James Bond,” he said. “Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond, and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond, so if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond.”
Elba is right. Can Agent 007 be played by a black, American actor and still feel like James Bond? Of course. It shouldn’t be what defines his performance. When Craig is ready to retire, race or nationality should not be a deciding factor in who gets to wear the tux, it should be whoever fits it best.
Zack Tobin can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: zacktobin1.
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What do you think? Are there other iconic movie characters who could be played by actors of other races?