Idris Elba Denies He Will Be Playing James Bond

Idris Elba

Idris Elba Denies That He Will Be Playing James Bond

Rumor has it that Idris Elba could be under consideration for the next James Bond movie, making him the first black James Bond ever.

The rumor suggests that there was a conversation between James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and director Antoine Fuqua. Allegedly, Broccoli told Fuqua that  “it is time” for a minority to play James Bond, adding that “it will happen eventually”. Director Fuqua allegedly stated,

“Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with a physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

However, according to a rep for Fuqua, that rumor is just that — a rumor. In a statement Fuqua’s team says:

He never had a conversation with Barbara about the franchise or about any casting. It’s all made up stuff. Not sure how it got started.

The rumor has been around for years. Back in 2016, Idris shut them down in an interview with Good Morning America.

It’s the wildest rumor in the world. I keep saying that if it were to happen, it would be the will of the nation because there have not been any talks between me and the studios about any of that but everywhere I go people want that to happen.

He joked,

“But if I’m really honest, I think I’m too old for that, man. Running around in cars, ladies, martinis, who wants to do that? It sounds terrible”

As far as Idris playing James Bond, it doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon. Idris took to Twitter to subtly deny the rumors again over the weekend.

Don’t believe the HYPE…

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018

my name’s Elba, Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/kEyyaVg8JX

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018