As someone who was lucky enough to work on the 007 franchise, I can tell you that none of this is new. As far back as 1994, according to Bond film historian John Cork, Entertainment Weekly proposed that the producers cast Eddie Murphy as Bond, to bring in new audiences and revitalize the franchise. (And on the question of a female Bond — which seems to be floated anew every year or so — the first time I heard it proposed was in 1986, from Kathleen Turner, who wanted to play "Jane Bond.")<doc-sep>As someone who was lucky enough to work on the 007 franchise, I can tell you that none of this is new. As far back as 1994, according to Bond film historian John Cork, Entertainment Weekly proposed that the producers cast Eddie Murphy as Bond, to bring in new audiences and revitalize the franchise. (And on the question of a female Bond — which seems to be floated anew every year or so — the first time I heard it proposed was in 1986, from Kathleen Turner, who wanted to play “Jane Bond.”)<doc-sep>Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has reportedly announced that the door is open for a black 007 in the future, once Daniel Craig completes his final outing as the spy. The Daily Star reports that director Antoine Fuqua revealed the details of a conversation with Broccoli, in which she said "it is time" for a non-white actor to take on the iconic role. Fuqua discussed who might be next in the running with Broccoli, who's certain the progressive move "will happen eventually", with Idris Elba a reported frontrunner for the role. Indeed, the director seemed to hint that the actor is currently being eyed as a strong candidate, adding: "Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.” Danny Boyle will direct the next, Daniel Craig-starring Bond installment, with work having already begun on the script with Trainspotting scribe John Hodge. Eon productions heads Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli called the director “exceptionally talented” in a statement, while the head of US distributor MGM said: ”We couldn’t be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen, uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle.” The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Show all 9 1 /9 The eight contenders to be the next James Bond The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Jamie Dornan, 36 PA The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Aiden Turner, 35 The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Idris Elba, 45 Getty The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Michael Fassbender, 41 Getty The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Luke Evans, 39 Luke Evans Getty The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Jamie Bell, 32 Jamie Bell Getty The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Charlie Hunnam, 38 Getty The eight contenders to be the next James Bond Tom Hiddleston, 37 The eight contenders to be the next James Bond James Norton, 32 BBC Craig revealed he would return to the iconic role last August, having previously played Bond four times: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre. The film is scheduled to reach UK cinemas on the 25 October 2019. Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.<doc-sep>
Kerry Hayes, Warner Bros. Anyone know how Stringer Bell likes his martinis? A report in British tabloid The Daily Star suggests actor Idris Elba, who played business-minded drug kingpin Bell in the acclaimed HBO drama The Wire, could be next in line to play James Bond. According to the report, Bond series producer Barbara Broccoli told director Antoine Fuqua "it is time" for a non-white actor to take on the role of the British super-spy created by Ian Fleming. Broccoli said "it will happen eventually," Fuqua told the paper. Eon Productions, maker of the James Bond films, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Elba's name has long been tossed around as an ideal candidate. The London-born actor, 45, has both the appearance (he's 6'3") and cool charm to pull off the role. "Idris could do it if he was in shape," Fuqua told the Daily Star. "You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that." Elba also plays the title role in British crime drama Luther, voiced Chief Bogo in Zootopia, plays Heimdall in the Marvel movies, and famously cancelled the apocalypse in 2013's Pacific Rim. Elba himself has addressed the recurring speculation. Back in 2016 he called it the "wildest rumor in the world" and wondered if he was too old for the role. (Current star Daniel Craig is 50.) This January, Elba suggested the Bond role could one day be played by a woman. But Craig, who's played the secret agent since 2005, still has one more film to make. He's returning as Bond in the as-yet untitled 25th film in the series, set to begin filming late in 2018.