Idris Elba has been at the center of speculation about playing James Bond since Daniel Craig stepped out of the role in 2021.
But in an interview with British GQ published Monday, Elba himself dismissed the talk as unrealistic, saying certain audiences would never accept a Black man in the iconic role of the British superspy.
“It was never legit. It was always just a rumor,” said Elba, the star of “The Wire” and “Luther.” “I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing.”
“James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it,” Elba said.
“And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that. Bond is big all over the world,” he said. “And won’t go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”
According to British GQ, the rumor began after the election in 2008, when Barack Obama won, and Craig said it was about time for a Black Bond.
“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke,” Elba 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,” he added.
Although he appears to be ruling himself out for the Bond franchise, Elba, 53, is no stranger to action movies. He has made multiple appearances in the Marvel movie universe as Heimdall and is in “Masters of the Universe” as Man-At-Arms.
Auditions for the new James Bond are underway, with the next film set to be directed by French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, director of the “Dune” film series and “Blade Runner 2049.”
