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I can only speak for myself, but for me it really is about staying true to a character I've known since the 80s
I object any time something I grew up with is changed beyond recognition. I raised an eyebrow when I saw Daniel Craig wearing skinny jeans in Skyfall because I thought James Bond would never do that. Don't get me started on what's happened to Star Trek, and no one can imply that racism is at the root of my objections to those changes.Â
Your point about projecting on the character is probably valid for many people, and I probably was projecting somewhat when I fell in love with the character at the tender age of 11, but that was a long time ago and now, for me anyway, it's more about nostalgia and my expectations for the character. And yes, some of the people objecting to the idea of Idris Elba as Bond are undeniably racist, but just because some people have racism at the root of their argument that doesn't mean all arguments against Elba as Bond are rooted in prejudice.
If you want to look at Bond's roots, I don't think you can look at Fleming's work and reasonably claim that Bond was anything but a white, British male. Even before the movies, the Daily Mail adapted several novels into daily comic strips, and they consulted with Fleming to get an artists' interpretation of what Bond looked like, and the result was undeniably white. Multiple times in the books, other characters commented on how much Bond looked like Hoagy Carmichael, and every time Bond visited the Caribbean, Japan, or five-star European hotels, those situations would have played out very differently if he had been anything but a white man.
The world has undeniably changed since Ian Fleming created Bond, and it's changed since the 80s when I first saw Roger Moore play the character, but I don't agree that Bond has to change with the times. Eventually, if a character changes enough it's no longer the same character, and then what's the point in continuing to call it by the same name, other than sheer greed on behalf of the studio. I would rather have Bond get killed off, allowing him to remain true to himself as a relic of a bygone era. Then Idris Elba or anyone else would have a clean slate to take up the mantle as a new character and a new number, and that's something I would happily pay to see.
Black BOND!!! Idris Elba Had the Perfect Response To People Who Don’t Want A Black Bond Dec 27, 13:38
what do you mean "people"? Dec 27, 14:23
Craig is a boring, humorless Bond Dec 27, 16:10
BCUMB was born to play Bond, he has to be the next 007. {nm} Dec 27, 20:24
eh BCUMB is still a little young. Average age of Bond actors is 42-43. He still got a good 5 years. :) {nm} Dec 28, 09:37
What's next, Liam Neeson as Shaft? Dec 28, 15:07
Where does it say the bond character is, was, or has to be a white dude? That's just how he's always been portrayed. Dec 28, 16:49
In Ian Fleming's books, for starters, and in every interpretation of the character so far. Dec 28, 23:04
I think this is incorrect. Long explanation inside. Dec 29, 07:50
I can only speak for myself, but for me it really is about staying true to a character I've known since the 80s Dec 29, 13:15
Race is central to the concept of Shaft. It is in no way relevant to the 'character' of 007. Dec 28, 23:24
And since every five star hotel receptionist knows who James Bond is and what he drinks, your IM is kinda moot ;) {nm} Dec 29, 06:04
