In a recent article on the BBC website (quoting an interview in the Guardian) James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli stated her belief that James Bond will “probably” never be played by a woman. “Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male.” She went on to say “And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women.” The same article went on to quote an article where Halle Berry also said that Bond should remain male, she however suggested a new Bond type female character could be created. While it may not be a popular, or politically correct opinion at the moment, I agree that Bond only works as a man. We are however, at a point in time where Bond casting can be colour-blind, while Bond needs to remain British (and male), we are a multicultural society, despite the views of a vocal minority, you don’t have to be white to be British. This leaves the door open, not just for Idris Elba, but for any other British actor regardless of race, I believe Henry Golding has joined the debate!
To change the sex of Bond would impact on all his interactions with other characters to such an extent it would distract from the story. Regardless of what I, or anyone else thinks, Broccoli is the person most directly responsible for casting the part, so will ultimately decide the direction it takes. This isn’t to say characters are locked into being one sex. The BBC article I mention, refers to the new series of Doctor Who, starting tomorrow with the first ever female Doctor. Ghostbusters (2016), wasn’t terrible because of the idea, or the casting of woman, the cast were good, the issue was with the terrible script. 
Back to Halle Berry and her idea: There has previously been a suggestion that her character Jinx Johnson, from Die Another Day (2002) would get her own spiff-off movie or TV show. Fortunately, this did not happen, she was a terrible character from a terrible film. The only positive thing I have ever heard about the character, is that she looks good! Truely representing all that is bad about Bond! There are far better characters in the Bondverse to get their own movie, characters with a little agency, would be: Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) from Licence to Kill (1989), Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), or Camille (Olga Kurylenko) from Quantum of Solace (2008). I’m not sure any Bond shared universe is a good idea, do we want a new Bond related film every year? The current format of a film every few years, reboot every decade or so works. 
It would be better to start from a clean slate, developed a new completely different character in their own universe and having their own characteristics. Fortunately, that is exactly what Barbara Broccoli is doing. In a rare none Bond movie, EON Productions next movie will be The Rhythm Section adapted from the book of the same name by Mark Burnell. The first of four books about the character Stephanie Patrick. In the books Stephanie Patrick is a couple of turns short of rock bottom in a downward spiral following a traumatic event. She is working as a prostitute to fund her drug problem until a revelation from a journalist sends her life in a completely new direction. The books are about identity and purpose, but work on a more surface level too, with great action. There are four books in the series leaving at least three more stories to adapt, but with author Burnell onboard writing the script, there could be more than that. Blake Lively is staring, and looks like a good choice.
And finally the elephant in the room, who will be the next Bond? The name we can’t escape is Idris Elba, I think he would make a fantastic Bond, but fear his time may have passed. At 46 he is about the right age now, he should be making his second film. As it is, he would be 50/51 before he made his debut, giving him time to make three film before he is too old. I am not going to list contendors or speculate on who will take the part, that’s for another day, but I am going to keep banding the drum for my Bond Movie idea, I know it will never happen but it doesn’t stop me modestly suggesting it’s a great idea: Bring Timothy Dalton back to play a long retired James Bond, forced back for one last mission (there are multiple story ideas to facilitate this). As he gets older, the same idea could also work for Pierce Brosnan. 
Fandango Groovers Movie Blog 