Rama’s SCREEN

It’s weekend, so I figured let’s do something chill for a moment. This past week, Daniel Craig said that the world is ready for a black James Bond.

So I figured let’s put a list of 10 possible candidates for Black James Bond. Since Obama is going to be in the white house soon, it’s time to have a colored agent 007, his Aston Martin will be blasting with hip-hop and R&B. I count out Denzel and Morgan Freeman since they’re old, and Samuel L. Jackson would make Bond too rated R for younger audiences especially with his mothaF*in’ remarks. And I’ve also excluded Cuba Gooding Jr. since I still haven’t recovered fully from the mental injuries I sustained from having watched Daddy Day Camp.

These are 10 black actors, some American and some are Britons, who may not all be on the top of their game but they got some qualifications to exercise the license to kill.

10. Mekhi Phifer

I admit Mekhi may not be the first thing that comes through your mind when you think of James Bond. Mekhi’s career alone hasn’t been the most flattering resume, but hey, he’s a make-believe doctor so he knows how to heal himself if wounded on the field, invincibility is part of James Bond’s trait. And anyone who’s dealt with Eminem and the tough city of Detroit (8 Mile) can certainly take on any tough secret spy mission.

9. Chiwetel Ejiofor

He can do American accent so well, you’d never tell he’s actually an Englishman. The man’s talented when it comes to acting that’s for sure. But his performance as the martial artist in Redbelt is what qualifies him to be an agent. In his mind, when he’s being cornered, there’s always an escape. A helpful solution in a dangerous world of James Bond.

8. P. Diddy

This rapper turned actor is probably the only one so far who has loudly announced his interest in playing James Bond. He does not have the look, we can all agree on that, but just look at it this way, he’ll never have to worry about money. In Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig’s James Bond had to go to his friend for help after his credit card was canceled by MI6. Hell, P. Diddy is loaded with cash, he’ll have his girls fly him from one place to another.

7. Terrence Howard

Losing that Iron Man gig to Don Cheadle doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Terrence Howard got the Hustle & Flow attitude, ruthless and determined. And he’s proven from the movie Pride, that Daniel Craig isn’t the only one in town who can be in the water with swim short speedos (Casino Royale) and still comes out lookin’ like a straight man.

6. Jamie Foxx

Don’t look at Jamie Foxx in Ali, Ray, or Collateral, just look at his roles in Miami Vice and Dreamgirls and know that he can be ballin’ like a James Bond material. Not to mention that James Bond is known sometimes for his wit and catchy one-liners. Foxx can go blind and still pull it off like a natural.

5. Taye Diggs

Taye may be unlikely, a long shot, if you will. He’s still struggling to find a gig that suits him. But his short-lived TV series Day Break is evidence that this is an actor who can withstand physical challenges that a James Bond movie would demand. He just needs to smile less and be more act more serious.

4. Derek Luke

One of the most impressive, talented young actors around. Doing drama,.. no problem! (Catch a Fire, Antwone Fisher, Lions for Lambs). Can he do Action? I think with the right training and coaching, he’d be able to have that on-screen presence worthy of being in the same level as any Hollywood’s action super star.

3. Adewale kinnuoye-Agbaje

This is a nomination from Rama’s SCREEN reader Ryan who thinks Mr. Eko from TV’s Lost would be a good choice, plus he’s an Englishman. He’s got the physique and the attitude, I’m sure he’ll wear the tux and drive the car and drink the martini just fine. But I very much doubt he’s a ladies man. James Bond is a womanizer. It’s still possible, Adewale just needs to come up a shorter stage name

2. Idris Elba

In recent years, Idris has been a supporting actor in so many gigs. Can he be 007? Obama would say “Yes He Can!” I’m a big fan of Idris’ character Stringer Bell in TV’s The Wire. Someone who can calculate the next steps and isn’t afraid to plan a murder on anyone who gets in the way. Sound’s familiar? The name’s Elba, Idris Elba!

1. Will Smith

One of the most versatile black actors in the world. He has the big screen presence that can attract audiences and box office money, which is a good thing for the producers of Bond movies, he can do just about any scene. He’s badass (Bad Boys), he can survive a car chase scene (I, Robot), he can drink (Hancock), he doesn’t share much about himself (Seven Pounds) he can work with gadgets and make his suit look good (Men in Black), and he knows how to work the women (Hitch) or at least he thinks he does.