Idris Elba Doesn’t Think a James Bond Role Is In the Cards

idris elba james bond

Idris Elba’s James Bond talk got louder in 2014. (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

Idris Elba playing James Bond really isn’t up to him.

The actor summed up his chances of playing the fictional British Secret Service agent by crushing the dreams of many.

“I think not,” he told BuzzFeed Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Toronto International Film Festival. “But you really need to ask the producers. Like I can just, [mimics picking up phone] ‘Hey, I’m gonna play Bond next! No, it’s Idris. Hello?’ No one wants it.”

However, Elba might want to take a glimpse at Twitter, which proves plenty want it.

https://twitter.com/madison_elysse/status/904378803560095745

While one of People magazine’s sexiest men alive would make many women even more coo-coo for Elba, not everyone is on board. Controversy erupted in 2015 when Bond author Anthony Horowitz told The Daily Mail he wasn’t a fan of Elba diversifying the franchise and taking over for Daniel Craig.


More On Idris Elba

Idris Elba Lands Major Role In Stephen King’s ‘Dark Tower’ Franchise, Reactions Vary

Idris Elba Leads Netflix ‘Beasts of No Nation’ for Awards Run

Fox Puts ‘Luther’ Remake On Hold As the Search for Another Idris Elba Continues


“Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other Black actors who would do it better,” he said. “For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”

Elba seemed to take the high road on Instagram by posting a screenshot of the article with the caption that said in part, “always keep smiling.” But even he has been worn out about the continued discussion.

“It feels like I’m campaigning, and I’m not,” he said to The Telegraph when the Bond talk became too loud. “At first, it was harmless — ‘Oh, I know, wouldn’t it be great?’ — and now it’s started off racial debates. I’m probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I’ve not even played the role. Enough is enough. I can’t talk about it anymore.”

Back to top