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Idris Elba speaks out on James Bond rumours and why it shouldn't be made "woke"
"It was never legit. It was always just a rumour."
Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images
- James Hibbs
Published: Monday, 8 June 2026 at 3:05 pm
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As the search for the next actor to play James Bond continues, Idris Elba has again addressed previous rumours that he could be in the running, telling GQ that any speculation about his casting "was never legit".
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"It was always just a rumour," Elba told the publication. "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 also addressed the idea that his casting would mean he was the first Black actor to play Bond on screen, saying that "in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that".
"Bond is big all over the world," he said. "And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond.
"That’s not what they like in their culture. Period."
Idris Elba. Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival
Elba also told GQ that the franchise should stick to its "escapist roots," saying: "Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. 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."
Elba also addressed the rumours of his being in the running the play Bond last month, telling People Magazine that "My name's not getting thrown out" to play the character, "no way".
After saying that Amazon MGM would be "going younger" with their casting, Elba added: "I wish them all the luck of the world. I can't wait – it's going to be amazing. [But] I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place."
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It was confirmed last month that casting for the next Bond film, which will be written by Steven Knight and directed by Denis Villeneuve, was officially underway.
Since then, it has been reported that Tom Francis, the actor best known for his stage work including Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, is one of the performers who has auditioned to play the iconic spy, while others in the running are currently unknown.
The James Bond films are available to stream on Prime Video. Sign up for Amazon Prime for £8.99 a month.
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Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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