15 Crazy Facts You Just Have To Accept To Enjoy The James Bond Franchise

3. A Non-White James Bond Will Probably Never Happen

There has been much talk over the years as to whether a black actor in particular could or would ever be cast as James Bond. Though it would prove highly controversial for both racists and simply those who prefer the traditional interpretation of Fleming's character, if a black actor fits the bill like any white guy, why not? The most commonly-associated non-white actors for the part are Colin Salmon, who played Charles Robinson in three of the Brosnan-starring Bond films, and Idris Elba, who is no stranger to race controversy after being cast as the prototypically white Heimdall in the Thor movies. Even though both actors will be too old to play the part by 2020 (Salmon will be 58, Elba will be 48), other younger black and ethnic actors absolutely should be in contention for the part when Craig hangs up the tie. However, EON's fear that a black Bond might alienate older (and more casually racist) audiences will probably cause them never to do this, because it's just not worth taking the gamble when box office bucks are at stake.