Sony emails: Studio wants next James Bond to be Idris Elba

Written by O’Boyd

File this under the “duh” category.

For months, all I’ve heard when it comes to discussion about who will be the next James Bond is Idris Elba. He’s the perfect choice and would give the 007 franchise an even bigger jolt than it’s received from the outstanding work Daniel Craig has done.

The Daily Beast, in one of the many Sony emails they’ve received during this whole mess with the North Korean government and the film “The Interview,” uncovered one from Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal. Dated Jan. 4, 2014, Pascal exchanged emails with Elizabeth Cantillon, former executive vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, the distributor of the franchise films.

In one email from Pascal, it simply states “Idris should be the next bond.”

Points taken away for capitalization but points given to her for stating the obvious.

Even Elba has expressed interest that he’d love to be the next Bond. During a Reddit session with People magazine, a Reddit user asked “If it were offered to you, would you be the next James Bond?” Elba answered, “Yes, if it was offered to me, absolutely.”

But it’s likely Craig has at least two more Bond films in his future, counting Spectre, which comes out in 2015. So hang tight in the meantime.

Bond … James Bond, in ‘Spectre’

Written by O’Boyd

James Bond is back. And he brought with him a film title along with confirmed cast members for the 24th installment.

“Spectre” will hit theaters Nov. 6, 2015 and will feature the return of Daniel Craig as the world’s top agent, James Bond. The title and cast were introduced this morning in a press conference at 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios in London. Principal photography will begin there Monday. The Verge reports other shooting locations will be Mexico City, Rome, Tangier & Erfoud, Morocco, Sölden, Obertilliach and Lake Altausee, Austria.

Joining Craig will be Andrew Scott (Denbigh) and Chrostoph Walt (Oerhauser, not the previously rumored villain Blofeld). Others in the film include Dave Bautista (a henchman named Hinx), Monica Bellucci and Léa Seydoux (newest Bond girl yet unnamed).

Spectre is the global terrorist organization from classic Bond films. The title is actually an acronym that stands for Special Executive for Counter-intellegience, Terrorism, Revengs and Extortion.

“Skyfall” was the ninth highest grossing film of all time when it was released in 2012, making over $1.1 billion worldwide.

Sam Mendes will be back to direct with screenwriters John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade also returning. Also returning will be Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kenner and Ben Whishaw.

Mendes also revealed the new Bond car (Aston Martin DB10).

Here’s a trailer for the film’s announcement.

Also, on the James Bond Faceook page, you can see this clip.

Title, cast for latest James Bond film will be announced Thursday

Written by O’Boyd

The 24th James Bond film will get the royal treatment early Thursday.

The official 007 website will stream live the announcement of the title and cast online from the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios in London. Principal photography of the film begins Monday, according to Variety.com.

The announcement will come at 11 a.m. GMT (that’s 6 a.m. on the east coast of the U.S.). Expected at the announcement are Daniel Craig (James Bond), Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Eve Montgomery), Rory Kenner (Bill Tanner) and Ben Whishaw (Q).

Various press reports have Christoph Waltz as the villain. Britain’s Mirror newspaper is saying the villain will be Andrew Scott of the BBC television show “Sherlock.”

Deadline.com is also reporting Monica Bellucci will be involved, though maybe not as the main Bond girl. That role could end up in the hands of Léa Seydoux.

Guess you’ll just have to tune in and find out what happens. We’ll obviously have the results, too, if you don’t want to get up that early in the morning.

As a side note, How cool would it be one day if Stephen Hawking played a Bond villain? I think I’d pay to see that. He’d wear Bond down with his intelligence alone.