Is Idris Elba The New James Bond? Or Much More?

He’s a DJ, radio host, podcaster, fashion brand head and of course an actor. Indeed, Idris Elba, the first black man to play James Bond, is a man who believes he is only engaging “his creative ego”. Sumita Chakraborty finds out more about the iconic Idris Elba.

- Sumita Chakraborty

From being a DJ, doorman, extra and even drug dealer, to being an actor par excellence who as Stringer Bell in the ‘Wire’ and Luther in the British TV series ‘Luther’ became iconic. Of course, his character as Nelson Mandela in the biographical film ‘Nelson Mandela, Long Walk To Freedom’ brought him further into the spotlight. And how! Meet Idris Elba, the first black man supposedly slated to essay the role of the dapper James Bond in 007 series. He has been nominated for the Golden Globe award twice. He portrayed the dark Heimdall in Thor and its sequels Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok as well as Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War.

He also starred in a whole host of big banners for which he received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Best Supporting Actor, and Molly’s Game. His deep baritone voice became the voice of Chief Bogo in Zootopia, Sher Khan in the live action/CGI adaptation of The Jungle Book and Fluke in Finding Dory. He made his directorial debut in 2018 with an adaptation of the 1992 novel Yardie. In 2021, he portrayed Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad, set in the DC Extended Universe. And now put your hands together… he’s going to be the first black man to be the iconic James Bond.