Idris Elba has definitively ruled himself out of the running to become the next James Bond, stating that he was “never in the race” to succeed Daniel Craig as the iconic British spy. The Luther star, 53, has long been a fan favourite to take on the role, but he dismissed the speculation as Amazon MGM Studios formally begins its search for the next 007.
Elba's Comments at Premiere
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of Masters of the Universe last week, Elba told People magazine: “My name’s not getting thrown out, no way. They’re going younger. And I wish them all the luck of the world. I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing.” He added emphatically: “I’m honestly not in the race ever. I wasn’t in the race in the first place.”
Background on Bond Casting
Since Craig’s final outing as Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die, speculation has been rife over who would take over the role. Alongside Elba, names such as Regé-Jean Page, Tom Hardy, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have frequently appeared on fan casting lists. However, in February 2025, longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli handed creative control of the franchise to Amazon. By September, reports indicated that director Denis Villeneuve, who will helm the first Bond film of the Amazon era, was seeking an “unknown” actor for the lead. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the script, with the film not expected until 2028 at the earliest.
Amazon's Official Statement
This month, Amazon MGM confirmed that the search for Craig’s successor is officially underway. In a statement, the studio said: “While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we are excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Elba's Past Comments on Race
Elba has previously spoken about the racial undertones of the Bond casting debate. In a 2011 interview with NPR, he said he would “definitely consider” playing Bond but criticised the focus on race, stating: “I just don’t want to be the Black James Bond. Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond.” In 2023, on the SmartLess podcast, he described the role as “the pinnacle” but said he would never accept it because the conversation had become “about race”. He elaborated: “Those that weren’t happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense and I got the brunt of it.”
Other Opinions on Elba as Bond
In 2015, Bond author Anthony Horowitz said he didn’t believe Elba was right for the part, insisting it was “not a colour issue”. He told The Daily Mail: “For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.” Meanwhile, The Independent polled readers on who would make the best Bond, with Elba and The Witcher star Henry Cavill frequently suggested as the only actors with the necessary presence and “Bond charisma”. Others named Jack Lowden following his performance in Slow Horses. Many readers also called for a return to the lighter tone of the Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan eras, arguing that the humour and escapism had been lost during Craig’s tenure.
