Idris Elba gets candid about James Bond casting rumours

Idris Elba, for quite some time, has been rumoured to be the next James Bond. 

However, now, the actor is shutting down the long-running speculation for good.

In a chat with People, he says, “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.”

“I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place,” he adds.

Elba previously acknowledged liking the fans wanting him to be the next 007 agent.

But what ticked him off was the focus on race.

"Being asked to be James Bond was like, 'Okay, you've sort of reached the pinnacle,'" he told the Smartless podcast in 2023.

He continued, "Essentially, it was a huge compliment that every corner of the world."

However, Elba pointed out there are some who did not like the idea of a Black man playing Bond.

"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."

Currently, the audition for the next James Bond is underway.