Ten Reasons Idris Elba Should Be the Next James Bond

The British hunk has all the skills for a great 007.

#IdrisIsBond - Rumors have been circulating for years about Idris Elba stepping into a tuxedo to take over the role of James Bond, but some folks — from Rush Limbaugh to former 007 Roger Moore — don't believe he's right for the part. We beg to differ. Here are ten reasons we think the British hunk will make the perfect Bond.  (Photo: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images For Advertising Week)

1 / 11

#IdrisIsBond - Rumors have been circulating for years about Idris Elba stepping into a tuxedo to take over the role of James Bond, but some folks — from Rush Limbaugh to former 007 Roger Moore — don't believe he's right for the part. We beg to differ. Here are ten reasons we think the British hunk will make the perfect Bond.  (Photo: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images For Advertising Week)

1. He Is British - Despite Limbaugh's contention that Bond needs to be a "white from Scotland" and Roger Moore's sentiment that Elba is not "English-English" enough to play 007, those narrow-minded arguments reek of racism. The Hackney-born Elba is as British as tea and crumpets and would do his countrymen proud as Bond. (Photo: WENN.com)

2 / 11

1. He Is British - Despite Limbaugh's contention that Bond needs to be a "white from Scotland" and Roger Moore's sentiment that Elba is not "English-English" enough to play 007, those narrow-minded arguments reek of racism. The Hackney-born Elba is as British as tea and crumpets and would do his countrymen proud as Bond. (Photo: WENN.com)

2. Undeniable Swag - It's hard to deny that Elba has an abundance of the charm and swagger that makes James Bond the sexiest franchise character in Hollywood history. We can see him as every iteration of 007: wily secret agent, butt-kicking hero and, of course, ladies man.  (Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

3 / 11

2. Undeniable Swag - It's hard to deny that Elba has an abundance of the charm and swagger that makes James Bond the sexiest franchise character in Hollywood history. We can see him as every iteration of 007: wily secret agent, butt-kicking hero and, of course, ladies man.  (Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

3. Award-Winning Actor - Unlike today's tentpole franchises, in which the CGI does more of the acting than the person in front of the green screen, James Bond requires a bit of chops. The Golden Globe winner and two-time BET Award winner has wowed us in a number of roles, from the detective in Luther to Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.   (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

4 / 11

3. Award-Winning Actor - Unlike today's tentpole franchises, in which the CGI does more of the acting than the person in front of the green screen, James Bond requires a bit of chops. The Golden Globe winner and two-time BET Award winner has wowed us in a number of roles, from the detective in Luther to Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.   (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

4. A Black Bond Will Bring a New Audience - Though we think it's about time for a Black James Bond for a number of reasons, here's one that the studio can relate to: study after study has proven that more diversity on screen leads to more dollars at the box office. Casting Elba as Bond would bring a whole new level of interest in the franchise from urban audiences.  (Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

5 / 11

4. A Black Bond Will Bring a New Audience - Though we think it's about time for a Black James Bond for a number of reasons, here's one that the studio can relate to: study after study has proven that more diversity on screen leads to more dollars at the box office. Casting Elba as Bond would bring a whole new level of interest in the franchise from urban audiences.  (Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

ADVERTISEMENT
5. He's a Box Office Draw - Elba has proven himself to be a draw at the box office. From big-budget franchises like Thor, Pacific Rim and Prometheus to smaller flicks like Obsessed and last year's No Good Deed, which opened No. 1 at the box office, he consistently helps to drive films to the top of the charts.  (Photo: Mario Mitsis/WENN.com)

6 / 11

5. He's a Box Office Draw - Elba has proven himself to be a draw at the box office. From big-budget franchises like Thor, Pacific Rim and Prometheus to smaller flicks like Obsessed and last year's No Good Deed, which opened No. 1 at the box office, he consistently helps to drive films to the top of the charts.  (Photo: Mario Mitsis/WENN.com)

6. Even Sony Thinks He Should Be Bond - The Sony email hack mostly served to embarrass executives and anger stars, but one valuable trade secret that was leaked was that co-chairman Amy Pascal herself believes Elba would make a great Bond. Hopefully her successor will keep that in mind when it comes to replacing Daniel Craig.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

7 / 11

6. Even Sony Thinks He Should Be Bond - The Sony email hack mostly served to embarrass executives and anger stars, but one valuable trade secret that was leaked was that co-chairman Amy Pascal herself believes Elba would make a great Bond. Hopefully her successor will keep that in mind when it comes to replacing Daniel Craig.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

7. He's Already an Action Star - Cleverly filmed action sequences is one of the things we love most about the Bond franchise, and Elba would fit right in with the stuntmen. He's already done plenty of action fare, from Takers to The Losers, and as anyone who follows him on Instagram knows, he's got a body built for giving chase and strong-arming the enemy. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images) 

8 / 11

7. He's Already an Action Star - Cleverly filmed action sequences is one of the things we love most about the Bond franchise, and Elba would fit right in with the stuntmen. He's already done plenty of action fare, from Takers to The Losers, and as anyone who follows him on Instagram knows, he's got a body built for giving chase and strong-arming the enemy. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images) 

8. Criminally Handsome - Just one flash of a smile from Elba is all we need to shake our libidos and stir our souls. Voted No. 2 on People's Most Beautiful in the World list in 2013, Elba is the kind of dashing fellow that ladies want to love and men want to be.  (Photo: Daniel Deme/WENN.com)

9 / 11

8. Criminally Handsome - Just one flash of a smile from Elba is all we need to shake our libidos and stir our souls. Voted No. 2 on People's Most Beautiful in the World list in 2013, Elba is the kind of dashing fellow that ladies want to love and men want to be.  (Photo: Daniel Deme/WENN.com)

9. He Can Work a Suit - Almost as important as his ability to wield a pistol is the way Bond kicks, shoots and punches all while in a tailored suit. We know Idris Elba would not have any trouble with his costumes.  (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

10 / 11

9. He Can Work a Suit - Almost as important as his ability to wield a pistol is the way Bond kicks, shoots and punches all while in a tailored suit. We know Idris Elba would not have any trouble with his costumes.  (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

10. It's What the People Want! - Ever since rumors of Elba as Bond first surfaced over a year ago, fans have taken to social media practically willing it to come true. The public has spoken: when it comes time for Daniel Craig to step down from his reign, it's time for a new shade of Bond. #IdrisIsBond! (Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

11 / 11

10. It's What the People Want! - Ever since rumors of Elba as Bond first surfaced over a year ago, fans have taken to social media practically willing it to come true. The public has spoken: when it comes time for Daniel Craig to step down from his reign, it's time for a new shade of Bond. #IdrisIsBond! (Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)