James Bond author Anthony Horowitz has issued a public apology for saying that Idris Elba is “too street” to play 007.
The writer of new Bond novel Trigger Mortis told the Daily Mail that Bond contender Elba wouldn’t fit the suit, so to speak: “It’s not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
As backlash around his comments continued today, Horowitz tweeted out a statement apologizing for his “poor choice of word.”
“I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offense. That wasn’t my intention,” he wrote.
“I was asked in my interview if Idris Elba would make a good James Bond. In the article, I expressed the opinion that to my mind Adrian Lester would be a better choice, but I’m a writer, not a casting director so what do I know?
“Clumsily, I chose the word ‘street’ as Elba’s gritty portrayal of DCI John Luther was in my mind, but I admit it was a poor choice of word. I am mortified to have caused offense.”
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
Horowitz’s Bond novel Trigger Mortis will be released on September 8. As previously reported, it features an audiobook recording by David Oyelowo.
