Read Idris Elba’s Classy Response to ‘Too Street’ Comment

2 minute read

Somehow it’s become unofficial law that Idris Elba’s name must be a part of any conversation about who would be the next best James Bond. (Trivia: Elba has said that it was current 007 Daniel Craig who started this whole thing in the first place: “I blame Daniel,” Elba has joked. )

So it’s hard to imagine how the actor felt after yesterday’s kerfuffle. To recap: Anthony Horowitz, the author of a new James Bond novel, told The Daily Mail that he didn’t think Elba was the right man for the job. “Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” Horowitz said. “For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. 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.”

The world reacted with appropriate outrage and Horowitz quickly took to Twitter to apologize: “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 offence.”

On Tuesday, Elba took to his Instagram account — this controversy is hitting all the social media platforms — to respond, keeping things classy (as usual):

This article originally appeared on EW.com

Being 007: LIFE Behind the Scenes at James Bond Auditions

A composite image of the five top candidates (including ultimate choice George Lazenby, bottom right). Published in the October 11, 1968, issue of LIFE.
A composite image of the five top candidates (including ultimate choice George Lazenby, bottom right). Published in the October 11, 1968, issue of LIFE.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
John Richardson during James Bond auditions, 1967.
John Richardson during James Bond auditions, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
On Her Majesty's Secret Service director Peter R. Hunt oversees a test love scene between John Richardson and an actress, moving her leg just so.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service director Peter R. Hunt oversees a test love scene between John Richardson and an actress, moving her leg just so.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
John Richardson during James Bond auditions, 1967.
John Richardson during James Bond auditions, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
James Bond audition candidate John Richardson (left), in profile, 1967.
James Bond audition candidate John Richardson (left), in profile, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
John Richardson reacts as his screen-test costar pulls out a gun, 1967.
John Richardson reacts as his screen-test costar pulls out a gun, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Director Peter Hunt studies John Richardson during his audition, 1967.
Director Peter Hunt studies John Richardson during his audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
John Richardson continued to act after he lost out on the Bond role, appearing in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) and a string of Italian movies.
John Richardson continued to act after he lost out on the Bond role, appearing in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) and a string of Italian movies.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
James Bond audition finalist Anthony Rogers, 1967.
James Bond audition finalist Anthony Rogers, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Anthony Rogers and an actress during a screen test, 1967.
Anthony Rogers and an actress during a screen test, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Anthony Rogers smokes a cigarette during his James Bond audition, 1967.
Anthony Rogers smokes a cigarette during his James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Anthony Rogers smokes a cigarette during his James Bond audition, 1967.
Anthony Rogers smokes a cigarette during his James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Robert Campbell during James Bond auditions, 1967.
Robert Campbell during James Bond auditions, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Director Peter R. Hunt helps Robert Campbell get into a shoulder holster, 1967.
Director Peter R. Hunt helps Robert Campbell get into a shoulder holster, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Robert Campbell checks a page of lines during a James Bond audition, 1967.
Robert Campbell checks a page of lines during a James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
James Bond hopeful Robert Campbell adjusts his shirt and jacket, 1967.
James Bond hopeful Robert Campbell adjusts his shirt and jacket, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Robert Campbell looks in the mirror between filming scenes for his James Bond audition, 1967.
Robert Campbell looks in the mirror between filming scenes for his James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Robert Campbell during a kissing test, opposite actress France Anglade, 1967.
Robert Campbell during a kissing test, opposite actress France Anglade, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Hans de Vries during James Bond audition, 1967.
Hans de Vries during James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Hans De Vries and France Anglade, James Bond audition, 1967.
Hans De Vries and France Anglade, James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
Hans de Vries during James Bond audition, 1967.
Hans de Vries during James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby during James Bond audition, 1967.
George Lazenby during James Bond audition, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
James Bond hopeful George Lazenby fiddles with a knife while chatting with Bond director Peter R. Hunt, 1967.
James Bond hopeful George Lazenby fiddles with a knife while chatting with Bond director Peter R. Hunt, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby goofs off behind the scenes of his screen test, boxing with an unidentified man, 1967.
George Lazenby goofs off behind the scenes of his screen test, boxing with an unidentified man, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby twirls a gun beside potential Bond Girl Marie-France Boyer, 1967.
George Lazenby twirls a gun beside potential Bond Girl Marie-France Boyer, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby during auditions for the role of James Bond, 1967.
George Lazenby during auditions for the role of James Bond, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby and Bond Girl hopeful Agneta Eckemyr, 1967.
George Lazenby and Bond Girl hopeful Agneta Eckemyr, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby leans against a bar during a moment away from James Bond auditions, 1967.
George Lazenby leans against a bar during a moment away from James Bond auditions, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
George Lazenby, 1967.
George Lazenby, 1967.Loomis Dean—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com