There was an article about this on a news site and I wanted to know what other people thought about this? I say no. I have no problem with a character that is like bond being black but I don't think the race, religion, or any other major characteristic should be changed for established characters. If you change things like this they become a different character anyway so why not just create a new character. What do you think?

This thread could go very badly...

It's irrelevant, unless you're a racist moron from the deep south of America, what does it matter? The Bond series has already been ruined by the latest two Jason Bourne copy-cat films.

No, because it would be an obvious attempt to make everything stupidly politically correct.

If it does I will close it.

Given that people freaked out over the fact that Daniel Craig was blonde, I imagine there would be an enormous outcry if any other aspect of the character was changed.

Personally, I think it would be fine, so long as he stays male and British. Those are the only two aspects of the character I believe to be sacrosanct.

A black Bond could work, as whether or not all Bonds are supposed to be the same person has never really been established. It would really depend on the actor playing him.

I think, go for it, as long as it worked, and that he was British. (I'm not being racist, surely you know that all Bonds are British?)

The question is...is there only one Bond? Is James Bond a proper name, or a name given to the agent filling that role? Since Bond's origin story is being told after his "greatest" adventures, then it might be argued that James Bond is a title.

If so, then the character isn't immune.

Otherwise, yes.

I like black people, but Bond is a whiter than white englishman.

Should Blade be white? or Shaft?

Characters should be the way they are written, that's it.

And anyone who could manage to be offended by this topic, needs to pull the stick out of their ass.

I don't think that it really matters. However, I am sick of my dad telling me about how he hates every Bond since Sean Connery because they're all so different and nothing like, what he thinks, is "the real Bond." A black Bond would just give him another reason to complain.

Quinn Davis:
I like black people, but Bond is a whiter than white englishman.

Should Blade be white? or Shaft?

Characters should be the way they are written, that's it.

And anyone who could manage to be offended by this topic, needs to pull the stick out of their ass.

Normally, I'd agree. But, a black man portrayed the Kingpin, one of my personal favorites, quite well. At the same time, I threw a fit when they made Terry Fitzgerald (Spawn movie) white. So, I think I go case-by-case.

I think bond is one man and not a title. The only reason the people that play him have changed is because the series has gone on for so long.

Susan Arendt:
Personally, I think it would be fine, so long as he stays male and British. Those are the only two aspects of the character I believe to be sacrosanct.

Good point. While the colour of the actor doesn't matter, the Britishness is essential.

Shaft was originally intended to be white. Then, partially through Sweet Sweetback's Badasssss Song, movie execs realized there was an audience out there hungry for strong black characters.

Should there be a black Bond? No.
But neither should there be a red Bond, a brown Bond, a yellow Bond, or even a white Bond.

There should just be Bond. What colour he is is irrelevant.

I think we are years away from seeing a black bond. In this country we don't have any other black people in top spying positions. Until we have a black Man from U.N.C.L.E or a black Saint i don't think we'll ever see a black bond.

No. It would not be OK. Bond is white. Bond is British. Bond drinks. Bond is a womanizer. His name is James Bond. THESE THINGS CAN NOT BE CHANGED! This is what makes Bond Bond. He is a stereoptypical mid-20th century Male Brit, created by Ian Fleming. Hell, I'm sure Fleming is rolling in his grave due to Daniel Craig's lackluster work. Really though, why would you do this? What would it accomplish. Political Correctness? What does that mean then? That being black is politically correct, but being white isn't? Nice. No, it isn't ok.
NOTE: I am not yelling at the creator of this post. I am yelling at those that say it would be ok. That have no boundaries for their P.C. crusade.

No, Bond is white. Not for any particular reason, he just is.

Political Correctness is unnecessary, I just believe it doesn't matter, all we need is a good actor.

Maybe Samuel L Jackson. "I want these mother****ing agents, off my mother****ing mission!"

Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

dirt_empire:
No. It would not be OK. Bond is white. Bond is British. Bond drinks. Bond is a womanizer. His name is James Bond. THESE THINGS CAN NOT BE CHANGED! This is what makes Bond Bond. He is a stereoptypical mid-20th century Male Brit, created by Ian Fleming. Hell, I'm sure Fleming is rolling in his grave due to Daniel Craig's lackluster work. Really though, why would you do this? What would it accomplish. Political Correctness? What does that mean then? That being black is politically correct, but being white isn't? Nice. No, it isn't ok.
NOTE: I am not yelling at the creator of this post. I am yelling at those that say it would be ok. That have no boundaries for their P.C. crusade.

I agree with this.

Well, apart from the thing about Daniel Craig. Casino Royale has so far been the only Bond movie that didn't make me cringe every few minutes because of the constant and unrelenting horrible pun-making.

No, because James Bond is a white British guy. If you're going to throw away the actual establishment of the character, then why not go for a female Bond? Or an Indian Bond?

nilcypher:

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

So true.

nilcypher:

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

Fair point.

Will Smith 4 Bond, lol.

J-Man:

nilcypher:

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

So true.

Not quite. M is a code name, James Bond is the actual character.

I am all for having a black James Bond. But why stop there? I think that Oliver Stone should have cast Denzel Washington to play the lead in W. recently, and that The Jonas Brothers should have starred in Soul Men. I call for a remake of the Chappelle Show starring Christopher Walkin, Ghostbusters 3 should be Cedric the Entertainer, Samuel Jackson, Ving Rhames, and Don Cheadle. Also, Mos Def should play Ford Prefect in the Hitchhiker's movie...oh wait...shit...

I guess it would be fine, as long as they didn't BLACK HIM OUT. If you know what I mean.

Like Blade, or XXX or anything like that, with lots of ebonics and references to his blackness. THAT would ruin it. And, unfortunately, Hollywood tends to do this when a lead action movie character is black.

dirt_empire:
No. It would not be OK. Bond is white. Bond is British. Bond drinks. Bond is a womanizer. His name is James Bond. THESE THINGS CAN NOT BE CHANGED! This is what makes Bond Bond. He is a stereoptypical mid-20th century Male Brit, created by Ian Fleming.

Stereotypical?
Anyway, no-one is demanding a black Bond, it's not a PC crusade, no-one is saying that it is racist that there has not been a black Bond, we're simply discussing whether it could/would happen. I personally would not be bothered having a black actor portraying Bond, as long as he was a good actor.

If he wears a suit, has a british accent and an 18+ charisma score...sure, whatever.

J-Man:
It's irrelevant, unless you're a racist moron from the deep south of America, what does it matter? The Bond series has already been ruined by the latest two Jason Bourne copy-cat films.

Actually the last two movies represent the original books by Ian Flemming that any of the other movies. And all they other movies became camp because that's what happened to violent media in the time period.

KSarty:

J-Man:

nilcypher:

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

So true.

Not quite. M is a code name, James Bond is the actual character.

Whose to say that James Bond isn't a code name too? Would a top agent who specialises in wetwork really be so cavalier about giving out his real name?

Only is he has a British accent and isn't a obvious American Stereo type. Then I don't see a problem with it. God I will kill the director who puts an American Stereotypical black man into a Bond film.

nilcypher:

KSarty:

J-Man:

nilcypher:

Pyronoid:
Short answer, no.

Long answer, no, because it would completely contradict the last oh so many films. James Bond suddenly transformed into a black guy.

As opposed to M suddenly transformed into a woman, which is clearly fine.

So true.

Not quite. M is a code name, James Bond is the actual character.

Whose to say that James Bond isn't a code name too?

Actually thats quite true, They would likely completely reissue him a identity upon joining upper ranks M16.

I voted no because their is no reason why there should be a black bond. Then again there is no reason why there shouldn't be, other than it will upset some fans.

Sorry just been transferred from a philosophy thread!

As was said, "M" is a codename. It was explained in Goldeneye (right?) that there was a new "M," and her gender was even made note of. It really is a matter of subjectivity and taste, and not objective fact, but I would not like such a drastic revision to any established character. Besides, when things like this happen, it tends to become a circus of self-congratulation and political correctness. It makes me blush a bit; it seems awfully patronizing.

EDIT: I see no reason to assume that "James Bond" is anything but a normal name. As far as I know, they have never hinted otherwise. I seem to recall that all the previous Bonds had the same long-dead-wife back-story. There's no reason they couldn't make changes to incorporate a black Bond, however; I'm just saying it would bug me.