In the past, there has been much speculation and debate about whether Idris Elba would be a good fit to play James Bond. It has also been speculated that he has been approached for the role.
The actor recently opened up about those rumors and revealed if there was any truth in them. In a series of new interviews, the 50-year-old Luther star let us in on the reality of what’s happening.
Idris Elba has been widely suggested as a potential choice to play James Bond by fans and media outlets alike. He has been praised for his acting skills, suave demeanor, and physical presence, all of which are often associated with the iconic spy character.
Elba, who plays the character of John Luther in the TV series “Luther: The Fallen Star,” referenced James Bond’s drink of choice in the new episode by turning down the world-renowned spy’s drink of choice– a martini. James Bond is famous for his preference for a “shaken, not stirred” vodka martini, and this phrase has become iconic in popular culture.
According to Deadline, Elba talked about the moment, claiming it was just a “cheeky” reference. “My Bond audition? Oh my God, no! I’ve been saying for years, no.”
The actor also told The Guardian that he did love the franchise.
“I’m very close to the producers,” he said. “We were all kind of laughing about the rumors because they are just that.”
When asked if he had come close to taking over the role, Idris waffled a bit, “No, nowhere,” he said. “Not that I’m going to tell you.”
“I can’t speak for them, but from my perspective, there’s never been any sort of truth to any of it,” Idris finally clarified.
After Daniel Craig’s exit as Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die, the producers are expected to announce the next actor to take on the role in the coming years. Whether or not Idris Elba will be chosen remains to be seen, but he is certainly a popular and compelling choice among fans.