Roger Moore, an actor who played the iconic James Bond character in film made what some felt was a racist jab towards English actor, Idris Elba. Moore seemingly balked at Elba playing Bond but has since backtracked on comments he made in a magazine.
Moore, who played Bond in seven films, was quoted in an interview in Paris Match magazine where he not only took a dig at Elba but also threw Cuba Gooding Jr. under the bus as well.
“A few years ago, I said that Cuba Gooding Jr. would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke,” said Moore “Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be ‘English-English’. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting idea, but unrealistic.”
The last portion of his comment was apparently aimed at the speculation that Elba would play the super spy after the Sony Pictures email hack revealed talks of that role switch occuring. The Grio reported on the backlash that Moore received over his viewpoints, and the actor took to Twitter and essentially took back his comments.
“An interview I gave to Paris Match implies I said something racist about Idris Elba. That is simply untrue. #Lost in translation,” tweeted More on Saturday.
Thus far, it doesn’t seem like Elba or his reps have issued any comments regarding Moore.
Do you think Idris Elba should play the iconic and traditionally white James Bond character? Sound off in the comments.
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Photo: WENN
