Famed James Bond author Anthony Horowitz has apologized for saying British actor Idris Elba was “too street” to play James Bond in a Bond movie.
Sony Pictures Entertainment was considering Elba, among other actors, to play 007 in the next Bond installment. But loyal fans of the fictional British Secret Service agent balked at the idea — including Horowitz.
Horowitz told the UK’s Daily Mail tabloid that Elba is simply not suave enough to play 007.
“Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” he said, naming actor Adrian Lester as an example of a suave black actor.
“For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
Naturally the unschooled collective known as Black Twitter imploded with feigned rage over Horowitz’s comments. Maybe they don’t know what “suave” means?
Horowitz later apologized for his comments.
“I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence,” he tweeted. “I am mortified to have caused offence.”
(FYI: “Offense” is spelled “offence” in proper English.)
What do you think of this non-controversy? Does the author have the right to give his opinion on a lead actor?
