Idris Elba has shut down speculation he’ll be taking on James Bond following Daniel Craig’s exit from the film franchise.
During an appearance World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, the actor, 50, ruled himself out of the running to play 007 as he addressed the persistent discussions about him playing the famous British spy.
When asked about his upcoming film based on his series Luther, Elba told reporters: “It’s very dark.
“We’ve been working on the television show for about 10 years and so the natural ambition is to take it to the big screen, and so we’re here with the first movie.”
Notably, he concluded his answer by insisting that he won’t be playing Bond: “You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B,’ but I’m not going to be that guy.
“I’m going to be John Luther. That’s who I am.”
Elba’s comments come as Aaron Taylor-Johnson has become the favourite to become the next James Bond.
It was first reported in November that the 32-year-old had impressed producers after filming a “secret audition” following Craig’s exit from the franchise in 2021.
Last month, a report confirmed that Taylor-Johnson did sit down with Barbara Broccoli and that their meeting “very well”.
Puck News’s Matthew Belloni said that sources told him the British star checks all the boxes - a “great actor” and “accomplished but not particularly famous” - but noted that his upcoming role in Marvel’s Kraven The Hunter and opposite Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy could hinder his chances.
In December, The Sun alleged that he had filmed the secret agent’s memorable “gun-barrel teaser footage” seen in the films over the years.
At the time, a source told the publication: “Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise’s famous gun-barrel teaser scenes, something all the actors do.
“That move takes him a step closer to signing a deal. Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films.”
