Idris Elba is ‘not in the running’ to play the new James Bond

For years, his name kept popping up as a fan favorite. But the English actor assures today that he was never really in the race to become 007.

While Amazon MGM Studios has officially launched the search to find Daniel Craig’s successor in James Bond 26actor Idris Elba has decided to put an end to the rumors that have accompanied him for a decade.

Asked by Peoplethe hero of Hijack and of Luther was very clear about his situation:

“Honestly, I’m not in the running for the role and I’ve never even been in the running, sincee departure!”

The 53-year-old actor simply explains that the direction taken by the producers now seems to naturally exclude him from the casting:

“My name is no longer circulating at all. Because iThey are looking for someone younger. And I wish them all the luck in the world. I can’t wait to see this, it’s going to be amazing.”

The casting process is being overseen by Amazon MGM executive Courtenay Valenti alongside director Denis Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

During the last Cannes Film Festival, Valenti also gave some indications on the profile sought, explaining that the future Bond must literally “overflowing with sex appeal“. The studio would also like to hire an actor willing to sign for at least three films, in order to provide a long-term successor to Daniel Craig.

In recent years, the name of Idris Elba has regularly come up alongside James Norton, Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson among the big favorites of bookmakers and fans. But today, another name seems to have gotten a head start: Callum Turner. The star of Fantastic Beasts And Masters of the Air is now considered the big favorite of the British press and bookmakers. Lee Phelps, spokesperson for William Hill (English betting company) commented on this sudden rise in power: “As we enter the new year, speculation continues around who will wear the tuxedo in the next James Bond film, and Callum Turner is emerging as the most likely candidate. He adds that the rumors surrounding the actor have been so strong lately that bookmakers have had to drastically revise their odds: “We had to drop his rating from 10/11 to 1/2 in just a few days.”

James Bond 26 does not yet have a release date.