Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Next James Bond: Idris Elba says he hasn't spoken to 007 producers yet

'Luther' actor says people tell him he would make a 'great Bond'

Nick Levine
Friday 25 March 2016 11:50 GMT
Comments
Actor Idris Elba poses in the press room after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role award for 'Beasts of No Nation' during the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles
Actor Idris Elba poses in the press room after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role award for 'Beasts of No Nation' during the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

According to bookmakers, Tom Hiddleston is now frontrunner to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond following his well-received role in BBC One's The Night Manager.

Damian Lewis and Tom Hardy are also hotly tipped, but for many of us, the idea of Idris Elba taking on the iconic role - and becoming the first black Bond - is pretty irresistible.

However, the Luther actor has once again insisted he has yet to be formally approached, telling Hello US: "It's all rumour-ville. I'm not speaking to the James Bond people, and they're not speaking to me."

However, Elba conceded that he appears to be a popular choice, saying: "If human beings want to know if there's any connectivity between all of us, the one thing I've heard around the world universally is, 'You'll be great as James Bond'."


"So if it was to happen, there you go - the will of the nation," he added.

Of course it shouldn't be forgotten that Daniel Craig has yet to step down as 007. Though the actor said while promoting Spectre last year that he would rather "slash [his] wrists" than play Bond again, he later backtracked and his spokesperson insisted more recently that he has not left the franchise.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in