Idris Elba shuts down idea of a black James Bond
Idris Elba says many people will not accept a black James Bond. (Getty Images: Theo Wargo)
In short:
Idris Elba says rumours of him playing James Bond were "never legit".
The British actor says Bond is big all over the world and some markets will not accept a black man in that role.
What's next?
Auditions for a rebooted Bond are currently taking place, with Australian actor Jacob Elordi reportedly under consideration.
There have long been rumours that British actor Idris Elba is in the running to play James Bond.
In a wide-ranging interview with British GQ, Elba, who also has Sierra Leone citizenship, quickly shut down such talk.
"It was never legit," Elba told GQ. "It was always just a rumour."
Journalist Hayley Campbell even said Elba playfully rolled his eyes and slid down in his seat when she brought up the prospect of this happening.
The rumour has been going for almost two decades and took flight when actor Daniel Craig said at the Italian premiere of Quantum of Solace in 2008 that it was time for a black Bond.
The premiere was held a day after Barack Obama was voted in as US president.
But Elba, 53, who was knighted in the 2026 New Year Honours list for his services to young people, said he had never been on board with the idea.
"I've always felt that it's not a realistic thing," Elba said.
"James Bond was written how he was written for a reason."
He said while he considered the conversation around him being cast in the role a compliment, he had never taken it seriously.
"I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don't go for that," Elba said.
"Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won't [all] go for a black male, an African male, playing Bond.
"That's not what they like in their culture. Period."
Elba went on to say that Bond was all about escapism.
"Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let's not try and make it woke," he said.
"I think you've got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don't try and answer the world's taste. Just be Bond."
Elba is currently promoting the film Masters of the Universe.
Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms in his latest film Masters of the Universe. (Supplied: Sony Pictures)
As the plot goes, after a 15-year-long separation, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) heads back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies.
Elba (The Wire, Luther, Hijack) plays Eternia's head of weaponry, Man-At-Arms.
The movie has been praised by critics far and wide, but box office numbers have been soft for the film, which is part of the He-Man franchise.
Auditions underway
Amazon MGM is rebooting the James Bond franchise with auditions for a new Bond currently taking place, according to media reports.
Among those floated as prospects are Oscar-nominated Australian actor Jacob Elordi, with the BBC reporting that the frontrunners include Callum Turner, Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Previous actors to play the iconic role include Craig, Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan.
Australian George Lazenby has also played Bond.