Idris Elba, widely recognized for his acclaimed performances in 'Luther' and 'The Wire', has decisively addressed one of Hollywood's most enduring rumours. The 53-year-old actor has stated that he was never a serious candidate to portray James Bond, despite years of speculation about his potential casting as the iconic spy. Elba made these remarks while attending the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, 'Masters of the Universe'.
Elba Sets the Record Straight on Bond Speculation
Speaking with PEOPLE at the premiere, Elba was questioned about how he felt regarding his name being frequently mentioned as a possible star for the upcoming 007 reboot. 'My name's not getting thrown out, no way,' he responded. '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 further clarified, 'I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place.'
Previous Comments on the Rumours
This is not the first occasion on which Elba has addressed the speculation. In 2023, during an appearance on the 'Smartless' podcast hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, he spoke more openly about his feelings on the matter. While he expressed that he was 'super complimented' by the rumours, he also explained why the experience ultimately left a negative impression. 'Being asked to be James Bond was like, "Okay, you've sort of reached the pinnacle,"' he said at the time. 'Essentially, it was a huge compliment that every corner of the world, except for some corners which we will not talk about, were really happy about the idea that I could be considered.' He 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 Origins of the Bond Speculation
Elba's name first entered the Bond conversation in a significant way when a leaked 2014 email from a film executive revealed that she felt he 'should be the next Bond.' The role was most recently played by Daniel Craig in 2021's 'No Time To Die', with previous Bond actors including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Timothy Dalton among others.
Focus on 'Masters of the Universe'
With Bond firmly behind him, Elba is now concentrating on his latest project, 'Masters of the Universe', a fantasy action film centered on the hero He-Man. Elba portrays Duncan, one of He-Man's closest allies, and revealed at the premiere that the franchise holds a special place in his childhood memories. ''Masters of the Universe' was my thing,' he said. 'It was something that I watched a lot as a kid. To get to play Duncan and change him, make him look like me, was a real treat. I got to be a bit comedic and big, so I went for it.'
Physical Demands of the Role
He also discussed the physical demands the role placed on him. 'I've done quite a few action films over the last three years. Some a little bit more cerebral action, like 'Hijack', but this has been a lot of fighting. I have to stay in shape so I can run and punch,' he said.
The Search for the Next James Bond
As for who will ultimately take on the role of Bond in the upcoming reboot, no official casting announcement has been made. The search for the next 007 continues, with the franchise yet to confirm its leading man.
