We finally have our first black James Bond, just not in the way we expected.
Acclaimed actor David Oyelowo will be playing Bond in the next official book in the series, titled Trigger Mortis. The Selma actor accepted the role after receiving a personal invitation from the estate of Ian Fleming, the creator of the character.
“I am officially the only person on planet Earth who can legitimately say: ‘I am the new James Bond,’” Oyelowo said excitedly, adding that he was “very honored.”
Oyelowo’s debut as the first black Bond might just be a way of testing the waters for how audiences might react to a black actor on the big screen, with current Bond, Daniel Craig, saying that he would be willing to step aside for a new actor, though he has been confirmed to stay in the role through 2020.
With many people pushing for Idris Elba as the next 007, this just might be a step in the right direction.
