Twitter Backlash of the Day: The Internet is Furious James Bond Author Called Idris Elba Too 'Street'

The Internet has wanted hunky actor Idris Elba to play James Bond for a long time.

So when Anthony Horowitz, author of the newest Bond book, said the actor was "too street" to play the iconic character—all Hell broke loose.

"For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It's not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah," he told Uproxx.

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Cue the memes...

"Idris Elba is 'too street' to play james bond" pic.twitter.com/x4SiaLeozB
— Bitter Chocolate Man (@ILLCapitano94) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba is "too street" to play Bond? Ridiculous. He's an actor. Heath Ledger wasn't a homicidal maniac. Tom Hanks isn't a toy cowboy.
— Aled Phillips (@aledsavedlatin) September 1, 2015

Yeah right Idris Elba is "too street." And get me Google Maps - I may want to visit that street. #ItsCalledActing pic.twitter.com/aLtziSSg3o
— Julie Cohen (@SturgeonQueens) September 1, 2015

What "street" is Idris Elba and can I move to it?
— Ryan Case (@film114) September 1, 2015

I'd like to up this game and propose Idris Elba as Sherlock. BECAUSE HOW GOOD WOULD THAT BE.
— Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) September 1, 2015

Idris Elba is looking at all this nonsense about him like pic.twitter.com/STkuFBXELA
— BlackGirlNerds (@BlackGirlNerds) September 1, 2015

Via Martin Morrow
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And they keep coming...

Christian Bale can play an Egyptian Prince but Idris Elba is "too street" to play a fictional character? pic.twitter.com/1M2kbouFx7
— #MILEYWHATSGOOD (@DezzaW6) September 1, 2015

The irony of #AnthonyHorowitz saying Idris Elba was "too street" is that in virtually every magazine spread he's in a suit or tux.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 1, 2015

"Idris Elba not time-travelly enough to play Dr Who"
— Robin Flavell (@RobinFlavell) September 1, 2015

If you all like Idris Elba SO much, why don't you all just MARRY him? What? Really? All of you? Wow, he IS good.
— Jason Sweeney (@sween) September 1, 2015

"Ugh, Idris Elba too 'street' to play James Bond?" (asks black friends what street means) (realizes I have no black friends) (deletes tweet)
— Matt Oswalt (@puddinstrip) September 1, 2015

No one, especially not Idris Elba, is allowed to be called "too street" for a movie after Ice Cube. pic.twitter.com/BUqujNsryK
— IGZ (@igzrap) September 1, 2015

Via @_xoxomari_
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And obligatory apology from writer...

Via @AnthonyHorowitz