Idris Elba sends stark message to Bond makers as search for next 007 heats up

Idris Elba, for years, has been rumoured to become the next 007 after Daniel Craig's departure.

Though, he recently clarified that there was no truth in those speculations.

Now, in the latest interview with GQ, Elba added a key point into the Bond discussion: he did not want the agent to go woke.

These remarks come before the actor said 007 is a global brand and some audiences in the world would not accept a Black actor playing the legendary spy.

“James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it."

"And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that," he shared.

"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 shared.

However, Elba is also against any attempt at reinventing Bond on modern trends.

"Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. 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," he noted.

Elba's comments come on the heels of reports that a search for the next 007 has kicked off.c