Idris Elba has given an explanation of the ‘off-putting reason’ he wouldn’t want to portray James Bond.
Film fans have been suggesting candidates to take Daniel Craig’s place as 007 ever since he declared No Time to Die would be his final appearance as the secret agent.
Elba, who has roles in the new Apple TV+ series Hijack and on The Wire and Luther, had been one of the top possibilities. Elba, though, said earlier this year that he was out of the running and has now explained why.
Elba stated he would never have accepted the job since it “became about race” while speaking on the SmartLess podcast, which is hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. Elba called the chance to portray the role “the pinnacle.”
“Those that weren’t happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race,” he said, adding: “It became about nonsense and I got the brunt of it.”
Elba previously said of the rumours: “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.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy, Richard Madden, and Bridgerton actor Regé-Jean Page are among the other actors vying to play Bond at the moment.
Elba plays a passenger on a hijacked flight from Dubai to London in the movie Hijack.
Throughout the seven-hour program’s events, local officials are frantically searching for solutions as they unfold in real time.
Elba was in fits of laughter when promoting the show on ITV’s Lorraine when host Lorraine Kelly made a lewd double entendre about James Bond.
"It's in my head and it comes out of my mouth" 👀😅@reallorraine was left veryyy red faced after accidentally saying this to @idriselba 😳🤣 #Lorraine pic.twitter.com/JolECMnKtJ
— Lorraine (@lorraine) June 27, 2023
Elba, though, appeared to give his candidature a final statement in February when he was talking about his portrayal of John Luther in the Luther movie.
