Idris Elba didn't become James Bond because of a racial issue

The 'Luthor' star no longer calls himself a black actor
Idris Elba was one of the actors whose name fans never tired of repeating, wondering who could be the new James Bond. After Daniel Craig said goodbye to being the British secret agent in Not A Time to Die, Idris Elba was interested in potentially taking on the role, but despite the Luther star initially being "excited" about playing Agent 007, he was put off by the racist reaction.

"To tell you the truth, I've been asked to play the role for a long time. I was like, 'That's crazy!" Because James Bond... We're all actors and we understand this role. It's one of those coveted roles," Idris Elba in particular said during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast. - "When you're asked to be James Bond, you think, 'Well, I've reached the top.'"

The actor admits that because the character is world-famous, the talk of casting the next James Bond was "one of those things that the whole world votes for". "In fact, it was a huge compliment that all corners of the world, except some corners we won't talk about, were really excited by the idea that I might be considered. Those who didn't like the idea made the whole thing sound repugnant and off-putting because it came down to race. It all turned into nonsense and the main blow came to me."

Does Idris Elba call himself a black actor?
Earlier this year, Idris Elba announced that he no longer calls himself a black actor: "I realised that it puts me on the spot. We have to grow up. Our skin is just skin, nothing more. The rant is over. Being an 'actor' is a profession, just like being an 'architect', they are not defined by race. However, if you define your job according to your race, that is your prerogative."