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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that saying Idris Elba isn't suitable to play Bond because he's 'too street'...

311 replies

BinarySearchTree · 20/09/2017 22:44

... is actually a racist comment, which - however 'jokingly' said - is absolutely not an appropriate thing to say in an office environment?

I'm on week two of a new position and between this kind of thing and other dodgy goings-on am debating whether to hand my notice in.

WIBU to mention my discomfort to line manager (who heard whole thing, laughed along etc.) or alternatively to just cut and run? Am I being a bit sensitive?

OP posts:
Hayesking · 21/09/2017 15:19

Pretty sure Jack Lord was white. grin Are you thinking of Jeffrey Wright in Casino Royale? A fabulous Felix Leiter. ❤️

Grin yes I was thank you

To me, Idris always looks like he's overdone it the night before. Hungover and puffy. Hence sweaty.

magicstar1 · 21/09/2017 15:22

"Could the next James Bond be trans?"

FFS Hmm

Franklin77 · 21/09/2017 15:27

magicstar1

"Could the next James Bond be trans?"

FFS Hmm

Grin Why not?!! Grin If you follow the line of some other posters to their logical end, a transvestite or transexual Bond is just as valid as Elba. What with all the evolutions of the franchise, new gadgets, and all that! Maybe he could change half way through.

5rivers7hills · 21/09/2017 15:37

I'd have thought it meant too low rough rather than black - bond is meant to be posh and smooth and blend in seamlessly at ambassador dinners

But I'm sure idris can play a posher character.

StickThatInYourPipe · 21/09/2017 15:45

Maybe he could change half way through🤣🤣🤣

Sn0tnose · 21/09/2017 17:06

Whereas Colin Salmon would be spot on"

I've thought for years that Colin Salmon (or Damian Lewis, I'm not picky) would make a great Bond.

You couldn't have had Colin Salmon after 1997 because he was one of M's minions. I'm a massive fan of Idris Elba and would watch anything he's in, but I've never seen him in a role with an English accent where you haven't heard the south London twang coming through. I don't think he'd convince me as a viewer that he'd been to Eton. Sean Bean couldn't pull it off either.

illustratednews · 21/09/2017 17:34

Who was written as a white man

Interesting isn't it. Ed Skrein quit Hellboy to allow an Asian character to play the character as intended- widely applauded.

But with James Bond- another fictional character - posters are saying the original ethnicity should be ignored.

illustratednews · 21/09/2017 17:37

If we want realistic spy for today then they would probably be a young Muslim male and speak arabic.

Acmagest · 21/09/2017 17:47

illustratednews Ed Skrein quit Hellboy to allow an Asian character to play the character as intended and was widely applauded because Hollywood has been systematically whitewashing characters for decades and he was giving an underrepresented minority an opportunity.

White men are not an underrepresented minority.

LazyDailyMailJournos · 21/09/2017 17:48

The original ethnicity has been ignored. The part has never been played by someone of Scottish-Swiss ancestry - as was written. And the part is currently being played by someone who is blonde when the character was originally written as dark haired. The point being that if the franchise has moved away from some of the physical characteristics of the original, and the story line is no longer specifically tied to white ethnicity, then why couldn't a BAME actor take the role?

adriennewillfly · 21/09/2017 17:50

Yes it is racist. They might not understand that it is, and may try to justify the comments if challenged. As an ethnic minority I probably wouldn't complain, unless they direct made racist actions (E.g. Being mean to someone obviously because of race). Unless you don't like the job, in which case challenge them directly each time, and if they make any overtly racist comments report them. I don't have the energy for it, but good for you if you do.

Fekko · 21/09/2017 18:33

Sean Connery is Scottish (not so sure about any Swiss) and I'm sure his hair was dark (well the toupee was).

AntagonyAunt · 21/09/2017 19:13

Okay so let's have a black actor play Bond this time. What about next time? Chinese?? Hmm

Andylion · 21/09/2017 19:26

Pretty sure Jack Lord was white. grin Are you thinking of Jeffrey Wright in Casino Royale? A fabulous Felix Leiter. ❤️

I can't figure out which Connery Bond film it was, but I think Leiter was played by an African American actor. Unless of course, I am going crazy.

Fekko · 21/09/2017 19:29

Chinese fine, why not? It's the whole 'image' with Bond isn't it? It's not like he was a historical character and they are trying to cast someone who actually looks the same.

maxthemartian · 21/09/2017 19:29

Ed Skrein stood aside for an Asian actor because minorities are white-washed and under-represented, not just in the interests of accuracy.
As several other posters have pointed out, white men are in no danger of being under represented.

Fekko · 21/09/2017 19:35

How 'accurate' or 'authentic' do you need to be though? There's been a hooha recently about there being too many 'posh' actors on the boards.

God alone knows who would play DS when they make a film of his life. His mum will be, hmmm, Meryl Streep.

CoolCarrie · 21/09/2017 19:40

Let's be honest here, Idris is too old, so not in the running in any way. Studios won't take the gamble on casting a black man in the role of Bond, can you imagine the red necks in the Deep South of the US going to see a black man play Bond? He is a very good actor, but the producers will go for someone they think will be successful across the world, it is the most successful film franchise of all time, and the producers are certainly not going to go PC with the character now.

ShatnersBassoon · 21/09/2017 19:43

If this person would also describe Trevor McDonald, Barack Obama, Floella Benjamin and Don Warrington as 'too street', then yes it was a racist comment. Otherwise I'd guess they meant 'rough around the edges, unrefined', which could apply to people of any race.

quencher · 21/09/2017 19:46

Op, I think that you should pick your battles and how well you can fight them. I don't know anyone who hasn't been racist even though they might never believe it if I was to explain context.

I feel sorry for idris because he is practically the only black British actor people think of as black Person who should play Bond.

He will be too old for Bond and I am guessing the producers are hoping by the time dc finishes idris will be too old and no one will call them racist for not casting a black actor. It's definitely a waiting game. Also, idris won't do well in places like Asia based on how black actors are marketed. (I am assuming from past examples and disguises in franchises that has had big roles for black actors). There is that accepted "the wire" which I won't go into right now.

I am guessing he can't even say he won't play Bond and because they would want him to keep on talking about because the whole thing is like marmite. The racist and borderline racist hate it and the. You have people ho didn't really care and then those who would love to prove a point that he can do and he is good enough for the role.

I think denzel Washington in his young years, if he was British would have made a great bond.

To be honest, I would rather they created a new franchise with a black British actor, or more roles for BAME actors which has substance, grit and with pride about being British.

Yey yey to black "panther" coming out next year and I can't wait. That's going to be the next coming to America or even bigger. (Not literally) hopefully no slavery.

Fekko · 21/09/2017 20:25

Trevor McDonald 'street'? Not with that accent! The very idea. And Don Warrington has a voice like acacia honey. Barak can be a bit street - he comes across as someone who is hang out with (I wish). Floella - not sure. Isn't she a brummie?

differentlife · 21/09/2017 20:33

I always thought Bodie from The Professionals would have been a great Bond. Or Oliver Reed.

And no, I don't think it was racist.
And no OP, don't resign.

Fekko · 21/09/2017 20:34

Brian blessed!!!

SerfTerf · 21/09/2017 20:49

I always thought Bodie from The Professionals would have been a great Bond

He was considered but I can't remember the details. He would have been good, I agree.

SerfTerf · 21/09/2017 21:00

fernyfilms.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/lewis-collins-the-bond-that-never-was/

"Too aggressive in the interview", he thought, apparently.