Idris Elba says he's still smiling after comments by James Bond author | James Bond

Idris Elba says he's still smiling after comments by James Bond author

Author Anthony Horowitz has apologised after saying Elba was ‘too street’ to play the role of 007

Idris Elba has addressed controversial comments made by James Bond author Anthony Horowitz, who claimed the actor was “too street” to play 007.

Horowitz, who has penned the “continuation” Bond novels, including the latest, Trigger Mortis, apologised earlier this week for his “clumsily” chosen words to discuss the prospect of Elba being cast in the notorious role.

In response, Elba has posted a screengrab of Horowitz’s apology on Instagram with the accompanying message: “Always keep smiling! It takes no energy and never hurts! Learned that from the Street!”

Media sites and fans have praised the actor, best known for his roles in hit TV shows Luther and the Wire, for his “perfect” and “classy” reaction.

The dispute began after Horowitz told the Mail on Sunday he believed the actor Adrian Lester would make a more suitable Bond. “For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah,” he said.

But critics said the author’s choice of words were insensitive and reminiscent of racist discourse, which sees terms like “street” used to describe and demean black subcultures. Writer Ta-Nehisi Coats tweeted: “Just be honest and say ‘James Bond’s being white is important to me; and be done with it. Elba is ‘too street’ in much the same way that Obama was ‘too foreign’, and King was ‘too communist’.”

Horowitz’s apology, which he released on Tuesday, read: “I am mortified to have caused offence. I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence. That wasn’t my intention.

“I was asked in my interview if Idris Elba would make a good James Bond. In the article I expressed the opinion that to my mind Adrian Lester would be a better choice, but I’m a writer not a casting director so what do I know?”

Elba, 42, has been one of the frontrunners to take over from Daniel Craig when the current Bond retires. But a number of public figures have disagreed with the concept of a black actor playing the role.

American rightwing radio host Rush Limbaugh said: “James Bond is a total concept put together by Ian Fleming. He was white and Scottish. Period.”

Former 007 villain Yaphet Kotto added: “He cannot be black. Political correctness be damned. Play 003 or 006, but you cannot be 007.”

Last month, actor David Oyelowo, who is of Nigerian descent, was cast to play Bond in the audiobook version of Trigger Mortis.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaJ6Zobpwfo9qbGirlaV8cX%2BOopuroaNisq2uwGaqraGcoXq0uciloKefXZi8rrnEp6usZZqWuqa%2FjJump5xdlsK1tM6rZJqmpJ28r8WMoaarp6eewbs%3D