He's played gangsters. He's portrayed hard-nosed sleuths. He's stepped into the shoes of Nelson Mandela. In May he broke the U.K. land speed record in a Bentley. He's Idris Elba—hardly a man to sum up in a few words.

Yet, author Anthony Horowitz, who penned the latest James Bond novel, Trigger Mortis, commissioned by the Ian Fleming estate, did just that. In an interview with The Daily Mail, Hororwitz says Elba, long considered to be the obvious successor to Daniel Craig's Bond, is "too 'street'" to play the character.

"'For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part," Horowitz said. "It's not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond." Though the writer praises Elba as a "terrific" actor, he goes a step further in pushing back against the pro-Elba contingent, suggesting there are other black actors "who would do it better." (Worth nothing: Selma actor David Oyelowo lends his vocals for Trigger Mortis' audio book.) For Horowitz, it's all about attitude—and Elba's is all wrong. "Is it a question of being suave? Yeah."

Twitter disagrees with Horowitz, naturally.

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"Idris Elba is too street to play 007" ok wherever that street is tAKE ME THERE — niks 🌈 (@gooofygubler) September 1, 2015

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Idris Elba is too street. Serena too masculine. Oprah too bossy.



What do you want? We gave you 'respectable' Tiger, look whatchu did. — MissBwalya (@missbwalya) September 1, 2015

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Yeah, sure, whenever my wife mentions Idris Elba, it's always about how "street" he is. Yep. — William K. Wolfrum (@Wolfrum) September 1, 2015

Lucky for the author, Elba's chances seem limited. In April, the actor admitted to an audience at London's British Film Institute that rumors were "starting to eat" themselves and were, frankly, a little dusty. "If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it's gone."

Elba isn't Horowitz's only modern James Bond gripe. He's not too keen on Spectre, the latest installment of 007's film franchise due in November, either. 'I'm looking at the trailer and I am seeing a photograph of Bond's family," he said. "This is going to be to do with his family background, and I know the fans are all terribly excited to know more, but I'm saying, 'Don't tell me, I don't want to know.' I don't want to know about his doubts, his insecurities or weaknesses. I just want to see him act, kill, win."

Update (09/01): Internet fury forced Horowitz to make this statement:



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I'm really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence [full statement attached] pic.twitter.com/UD6ouA45Uv — Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) September 1, 2015

Who should take on the James Bond mantle after Craig? Here's our extensive take.

Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.

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