Image by Getty Images

By Anne Cohen September 1, 2015

Anthony Horowitz, the British Jewish writer tasked with writing “Trigger Mortis,” the next novel in the James Bond saga, might want to look to his main character for charm lessons.

In an interview with the , Horowitz let it be known that he thinks Idris Elba, a fan favorite in the runoff to cast the next Bond, is “probably a bit too ‘street’” to play 007. Translation? He’s black.

Despite Horowitz’s claims that he wasn’t referring to the actor’s race — “Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” he added in the interview — the Twitterverse was quick to condemn the comment.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“Sorry. What I meant to say was Idris Elba is too” *consults racist euphemism cheat sheet* “urban contemporary to play the new James Bond.”

— Kit Lovelace (@kitlovelace) September 1, 2015

But calling Idris Elba “street” is like saying Harrison Ford is “too Jewish”. https://t.co/NGAk3wyj5V

— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba is “a bit too street for Bond,” said the writer of a new Bond book. Just say “black,” it’s easier. http://t.co/MmMujUoigs

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba is handsome, urbane, confident. If he’s ‘street’, that street is a gilded cobblestone cul-de-sac in front of a stately mansion

— Caelyn Sandel (@inurashii) September 1, 2015

Ta-Nehisi Coates, columnist for The Atlantic and author of “Between The World and Me,” probably summed it up best when he tweeted that Hororwitz should “Just be honest and say ‘James Bond’s being white is important to me’ and be done with it.”

Just be honest and say “James Bond’s being white is important to me” and be done with it. cc @reetamac http://t.co/TvG9R3SbjT

— Ta-Nehisi Coates (@tanehisicoates) September 1, 2015

Horowitz followed up his casually racist remark with some far more Bond-like behavior (ie. classy) and apologized. Good show, old sport!

I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence [full statement attached] pic.twitter.com/UD6ouA45Uv

— Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) September 1, 2015

Looks like Idris Elba can keep that tux on — for now. And just in case you were curious about the actual book, it’s set in 1957, two weeks after “Goldfinger,” and features the return of Pussy Galore.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount