Skepta has made his filmmaking debut with Tribal Mark (Picture: Getty Images)
Skepta won’t be throwing himself into the running to play the first Black James Bond – and has instead created his own heroic character.
The Boy Better Know icon, 41, is releasing his debut short film Tribal Mark, which follows a Nigerian immigrant’s experience moving to London at a young age and adapting to the new culture.
Skepta, real name Joseph Adenuga, wanted to ensure he made a ‘character for Black actors’ which is why he has no interest in the debate surrounding a Black 007.
‘There was always talks of who’s going to be the Black James Bond and after a while, I just kind of got bored of that narrative,’ he told the BBC.
‘James Bond is white so I wanted to make a character superhero for Black actors way beyond my time.’
Teasing plans for a full movie based on the Tribal Mark character, he said: We’re already thinking about what car he drives, how many languages he speaks.
Daniel Craig has ended his tenure as 007 (Picture: Rex Features)
Idris Elba has long been in the running as the first Black James Bond but has no interest in taking the role (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The feature-length movie would just be a straight hitman spy movie.’
Expanding on his thoughts about the narrative of a Black actor playing a traditionally white character, Skepta added: ‘It wouldn’t make sense if loads of white actors kept asking to play Black Panther, because he is Black.’
However, the Shutdown rapper does pay a small nod to the iconic British spy in his short film with the line: ‘I’m Mark. Tribal Mark,’ which is a clear riff on: ‘The name is Bond. James Bond.’
Idris Elba has long been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as 007, after the actor bowed out in 2021 with five movies under his belt, including the final No Time To Die.
Despite fans desperate to see Idris, 52, wearing Bond’s tux, the Luther actor has dispelled any hopes of him being cast.
Speaking on the SmartLess podcast last summer, the actor explained: ‘The truth is, I was super complimented for a long time about this,’ he said. ‘James Bond… it’s one of those coveted [roles].’
He continued: ‘Being asked to be James Bond was like “OK, you’ve sort of reached the pinnacle.” That’s one of those things the whole world has a vote in. Essentially, it was a huge compliment that every corner of the world except from some corners, which we will not talk about, were really happy about the idea that I could be considered.
‘Those that weren’t happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting because it became about race.’
Tribal Mark is in UK cinemas from January 26.
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The rapper has created his own hero in new film Tribal Mark.