Roger Moore has denied making racist comments about Idris Elba.
The former James Bond star gave an interview to French magazine Paris Match. It says he was asked about Idris Elba succeeding Daniel Craig.
Roger Moore was quoted as saying the next 007 should be “English-English”.
Those comments initially drew criticism from some online but he’s insisted the quotes were “lost in translation”.
In the magazine, the quote appears under the title Idris Elba: le prochain Bond?, translated as Idris Elba: the next Bond.
The quote that appears below, when translated into English, reads: “Several years ago I said Cuba Gooding Jr. would make an excellent Bond, but that was a joke.
“Even though James has been played by a Scotsman, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he has to remain English-English. It’s an interesting idea, but unrealistic.”
However, Roger Moore insists that he wasn’t talking about Idris Elba, only the nationality of James Bond.
Elaborating further, the veteran actor said in a tweet: “When a journalist asks if <<Bond should be English>> and you agree, then quotes you saying it about Idris Elba, it’s out of context.”
In December 2014, following the hack at Sony Pictures, emails suggested that former co-chairman Amy Pascal wanted Idris Elba to be the next Bond.
At the time, Idris Elba responded with a selfie and a tweet: “Isn’t 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I’ve got a shot…”
Bond villain Richard Kiel has died in hospital in Fresno, California, on September 10 at the age of 74.
Richard Kiel played steel-toothed villain Jaws in two James Bond films, The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977 and Moonraker in 1979.
A spokeswoman for Saint Agnes Medical Center confirmed Richard Kiel’s death, but did not reveal the cause.
The 7ft 2in actor also appeared in the sports comedy Happy Gilmore, starring Adam Sandler, in 1996.
Richard Kiel made his name as cable-chomping henchman Jaws opposite Roger Moore as 007.
Roger Moore said he was “totally distraught” at the death of his co-star.
“We were on a radio program together just a week ago,” said Roger Moore.
Richard Kiel played steel-toothed villain Jaws in two James Bond films, The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977 and Moonraker in 1979
The former Bond star added: “[I] can’t take it in.”
The character of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me was originally intended to die at the end of the movie, but he was so popular with fans that Richard Kiel was brought back to reprise the role in Moonraker.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Richard Kiel had the hormonal condition acromegaly, which was said to have contributed to his height.
His first break came in 1959 when he played the alien Kanamit in Twilight Zone.
Richard Kiel published an autobiography in 2002, called Making It Big In The Movies.
His many other acting roles included deadly assistant Voltaire in the 1960s TV series The Wild, Wild West; playing opposite William Shatner in the 1970s TV sitcom Barbary Coast; taking on the lead character of Eli Weaver in the movie The Giant of Thunder Mountain; and spoofing his most famous role as “Famous big guy with silver teeth” in the movie version of Inspector Gadget.
In recent years, Richard Kiel also spent much of his time touring the world and appearing at conventions to meet Bond fans.
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James Bond’s submarine car used in The Spy Who Loved Me has been sold for £550,000 ($850,000).
The Lotus Esprit sold for less than the guide price despite a bidding war between a woman in the auction room and a telephone bidder who took the prized collector’s piece.
The car, said to be fully operational, was used in the underwater scene of the 1977 film starring Roger Moore as 007.
James Bond’s submarine car used in The Spy Who Loved Me has been sold for £550,000
After filming it toured various car shows before being stored in New York.
It was sold at RM Auctions in Battersea, south-west London, for less than the estimated price of between £650,000 ($1.1 million) and £950,000 ($1.5 million).
The car had previously been auctioned as a blind lot in 1989.
Peter Haynes, from the auction house, said: “Bearing in mind it is not a car that can be driven on the road, the price just goes to prove the draw that all Bond-related memorabilia has.”
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