I’d watch it. Washington has some amazing acting chops. Of course this is likely a pipe dream. I can’t see Hollywood casting a black man in the role of James Bond. The realization that the US is swimming in structural and institutionalized racism quickly puts a damper on that though. It should be no problem, as there’s nothing inherent to the concept of James Bond that says he’s got to be a white guy. In any case, I’d love to see it, if for no other reason than to watch as racist heads across the country exploded.
“The next James Bond? They better hurry up!” He wrote, replying to one fan’s question, and suggested everybody tweet “Denzel is James Bond!”
“We start the Denzel is Bond campaign today!” he said. “James Washington. Denzel Bond!” Fans immediately started talking about it, using the Twitter hashtag #DenzelIsJamesBond.
Among other things, the Training Day actor was asked why he has never hosted Saturday Night Live, to which he responded: “That’s a good question! I need to do that!”
“Call NBC and tell them Denzel needs to host!” he added.
Even with thousands of people toying with the idea of having a black actor play the intelligence agent, the term “Black Bond” doesn’t sit with many, including The Wire actor Idris Elba, who is also considered by many as a great bet for the role.
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine last January, Elba revealed his extreme dislike towards the popular phrase, saying that he doesn’t understand the phrase.
“We don’t say ‘White Bond’, we just say ‘Bond’,” he quips. “So it suddenly becomes a black man and he’s a ‘Black Bond.’”
I’d watch that!