Idris Elba Responds to Requests to Play James Bond, Reveals If He's Been Approached for the Role

Idris Elba opened up about those rumors he was set to become the next James Bond and revealed if there was any truth to them.

The 50-year-old Luther star has been presented by many as the ideal option to suit up as the spy after Daniel Craig exited the role with 2021′s No Time to Die.

In a series of new interviews, he opened up about the reality of that happening.

Keep reading to find out more…

In his new movie Luther: The Fallen Star, Idris makes a reference to the James Bond franchise by turning down the world-renowned spy’s drink of choice – a martini.

“My Bond audition? Oh my God, no! I’ve been saying for years, no,” he said about the moment during an interview, according to Deadline. He noted it was a “cheeky” reference and just that.

Idris 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 was involved in discussions to take over the role, Idris waffled a bit.

“No, nowhere,” he said when asked if he had come close to taking the role.

“Not that I’m going to tell you,” he replied when asked if there were even discussions for him to become James Bond.

“I can’t speak for them, but from my perspective, there’s never been any sort of truth to any of it,” he finally clarified.

We pulled together all of the casting rumors about who will eventually become the next 007.