Idris Elba for James Bond! Zoe Saldana backs 'one of the sexiest men alive'
Talk of Elba as Bond has been doing the rounds for a while now.
Actress Zoe Saldana thinks Idris Elba is "one of the sexiest men alive" and has backed him as the next James Bond. The 38-year-old actress believes the Jungle Book actor is the perfect person to take over from Daniel Craig as the iconic British spy.
Saldana said even her husband Marco Perego - the father of her twin sons Bowie and Cy, 19 months - agrees with her assessment of the hunky star, reported Glamour magazine. "I think Idris should have been Bond a long time ago... why wouldn't he be Bond? I love him and adore him and honestly believe that he is one of the sexiest men alive - and my husband won't mind me saying that because, trust me, he agrees with me," Saldana said.
Talk of Elba as Bond has been doing the rounds since the time Daniel Craig said Spectre would be his last film for the franchise.
In September 2015, author Anthony Horowitz, who has written Trigger Mortis, an addition to Ian Fleming's novel series on 007, had told the Daily Mail: “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.”
His use of the word 'street' was seen as a racist remark. Horowitz later apologised for his comment saying, “I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offense. That wasn’t my intention... Clumsily, I chose the word ‘street’ as Elba’s gritty portrayal of DCI John Luther was in my mind but I admit it was a poor choice of word. I am mortified to have caused offense.”
Elba was also backed by former 007 George Lazenby back in May and is currently 10/1, and fourth place, at the bookies to replace Craig. Earlier, actors Tom Hiddleston and Jamie Bell have been rumoured to take the role of Bond.
With agency inputs.