For more than a decade, Idris Elba's name has been repeatedly linked to one of cinema's most coveted roles. However, the actor has finally addressed speculation linking him to the iconic 007 role as casting gets underway for the next James Bond film.
In a new interview, the 53-year-old actor admitted he was never actually in contention to become the next James Bond. Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, Masters of the Universe, the star dismissed the long-running rumours that have followed him throughout much of Daniel Craig's tenure as 007.
Asked by PEOPLE how he felt about continued speculation surrounding the future Bond reboot, Elba replied: “My name's not getting thrown out, no way. They're going younger. And I wish them all the luck of the world. I can't wait — it's going to be amazing.” He added: “I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place.”
The comments may come as a surprise to Bond fans, many of whom have championed Idris for the role for years. His name first became associated with the franchise long before Craig's final appearance as the British spy in 2021's No Time To Die. Interest intensified in 2014 when a leaked email from Sony Pictures executive Amy Pascal suggested she believed “Idris should be the next Bond.”
Despite the persistent rumours, Elba has previously acknowledged that while the speculation was flattering, it also carried a darker side. During an appearance on the Smartless podcast in 2023, the actor reflected on the impact of the discussion surrounding his potential casting. He said he felt “super complimented” by the widespread support for the idea, but added: “Those that weren't happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense, and I got the brunt of it.”
The Bond franchise has a long history, with Daniel Craig following a distinguished line of actors to portray the British secret agent, including Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. While Elba may be ruling himself out, speculation over who will inherit the licence to kill has only intensified in recent months. The search for the next Bond officially got underway earlier this year, with Amazon MGM Studios confirming auditions are now taking place.
In a statement, the studio said: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.” The project already has a heavyweight creative team attached, with Dune director Denis Villeneuve set to direct and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay.
According to current OddsChecker odds, Callum Turner has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Daniel Craig. The actor, who recently married pop superstar Dua Lipa, is currently priced at 6/5 amid reports that producers are seeking a younger actor capable of carrying the franchise across multiple films. Close behind is Harris Dickinson at 3/1, who previously admitted he would be open to the role. Australian star Jacob Elordi is another name frequently linked to the role and currently sits at 5/1 in the betting markets. Jack O'Connell follows at 8/1, while long-time fan favourite Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains firmly in contention at 9/1 after years of speculation. Other actors reportedly under consideration include Theo James, Damson Idris, Jonathan Bailey, Josh O'Connor and Henry Cavill.
Not everyone linked to the role is convinced by the rumours, however. James Norton, another perennial Bond contender, recently laughed off suggestions that he was in serious contention. “Whoever is deciding on these odds needs to get a new job,” he joked while attending the BAFTA TV Awards. “It's so weird and bemusing.”
