Actor Idris Elba says the James Bond franchise should not be made “woke,” arguing that the series should focus on entertainment rather than cultural or political debates. Multiple outlets report Elba’s view that attempting to answer contemporary social expectations is not the right approach for the character or the franchise. Separate coverage also links Elba’s comments to statements by UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who is reported to agree that Bond should not be “woke.” According to the Evening Standard, Badenoch says it should be left to the writers and the rights holders to decide how the franchise is made. The reports also note that Elba’s remarks come amid ongoing discussion about casting for future 007 projects, including recurring speculation about whether he could play Bond. Across the articles, the emphasis is on the question of how the Bond brand should be presented going forward, with Elba and Badenoch expressing skepticism about introducing the “woke” label as a guiding principle, while others point to the authority of franchise rights holders and writers to determine creative direction.