Idris Elba Says Bond Rumors Were ‘Never Legit’ and ‘Not Realistic’: Audiences ‘Won’t Go for a Black Male Playing Bond’

Idris Elba is putting those James Bond rumors to bed.

The 53-year-old acclaimed actor — who tends to play heroic characters and currently stars in "Masters of the Universe" alongside Nicholas Galitzine — has been tipped to take over the 007 role since before Daniel Craig's departure in 2021. But in a new cover interview with British GQ, Elba says the rumors were "never legit."

"I've always felt that it's not a realistic thing," he told British GQ. "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. 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."

But he also said he doesn't necessarily think that Bond should change. "Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let's not try and make it woke," Elba continued. "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."

The rumor mill as to who will be the next Bond has been heating up as auditions have officially started. Prolific casting director Nina Gold ("Game of Thrones," "The Crown") is leading the charge for Amazon MGM Studios, who took creative control of the franchise last year. The next Bond movie is set to be directed by "Dune" helmer Denis Villeneuve, and Variety has heard that he and the studio are looking for someone on the younger side to step into Bond's shoes. Tom Francis, the 26-year-old British actor best known for his Olivier-winning role opposite Nicole Scherzinger in the stage musical "Sunset Boulevard," has already auditioned, a source told Variety last month. Other stars heavily rumored to be in the mix include Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

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