According to reports, Idris Elba has left ‘years’ of discussions with movie executives to assume the role of James Bond.
The star, 49, was the bookies’ favourite to replace Daniel Craig as the super spy, but is keen to pursue other roles – and has even put forward a list of proposed names to producer Barbara Broccoli of actors to play 007.
A source told The Sun: ‘Fans and Barbara wanted Idris but he wants to create something for himself.
“However, however, he has put forward names for 007. He is involved ‘informally’ with the decision-making process, as he has been in contact for so long with producers.
“He’s been in discussions for so long”: IdrisElba (49), has apparently walked out of playing James Bond, despite being the favourite by bookies to replace Daniel Craig
MailOnline reached out for clarification to James Bond producers and Idris reps.
Idris stated that when asked whether he was going to be the next “007”, he replied: “No, James Bond is not my role.”
The Express was also informed by him about these rumours. “I think I’m the most popular Bond actor anywhere, but I’ve never even tried to play the part.”
Idris said, “Enough is enough.” It’s too much.
Ladbrokes gave the actor 3/1 to take on the role, despite Daniel’s announcement that 2021’s No Time To Die was his final outing in the role.
Idris would like to try other roles. Barbara Broccoli suggested Idris other actors after Daniel Craig (pictured), quit the role.
Bookmakers stated that they had seen interest in IdrisElba, and therefore have cut his odds to make him the clear favourite. He’s currently our number one choice as well as Daniel Craig’s replacement.
Also rumoured to be in the running are Tom Hardy at 5/1, Rege-Jean Page 4/1 and Richard Madden 20/1.
Barbara, James Bond’s producer, has previously said that Craig’s replacement will be difficult to find.
According to the filmmaker, it is not easy choosing the right actor for the famous role of the suave spies.
The list also includes Venom’s Tom Hardy.
Speaking to Variety, Barbara said: ‘It’s a big decision.
‘It’s not just casting a role. It’s about a whole rethink about where we’re going.’
Idris confirmed that he was part of the discussion to become the next blockbuster star earlier this year.
Deadline’s Crew Call podcast, she said: “Well we know Idris. We’re friends with his. He’s a phenomenal actor.”
“And you know it’s been part of the conversation. But it’s difficult to have the discussion when there’s someone sitting in your seat.
Barbara stated that Bond bosses don’t have to name Craig immediately, but they would rather let cast and crew enjoy No Time To Die.
Is it possible? Rumours have also circulated that Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page (left), and The Bodyguard’s Richard Madden, (right), are in the race
She said: ‘I think we have decided that until No Time To Die has had its run and Daniel has been able to – well, we’ve all been able to savour, reap the benefits of Daniel’s wonderful tenure, we’re not gonna think about, or talk about anybody else.’
Daniel shared that Broccoli originally said he had to be in four films. This led him to question if the character can be ‘killed off’.
He made the final appearance in No Time To Die as 007 last year.
Daniel spoke on Awards Chatter earlier in the year and said that Bond felt happy and fulfilled when he met his creator. He also described the moment he was “choked up” during the final day of filming.
Daniel shared that Broccoli had told him how many Bonds to make after his initial Bond trip in Casino Royale 2006
“I was driving from Berlin to the premiere of Casino Royale, and I was in the back seat of a Mercedes black with Barbara Broccoli in my back. It was like we’d accomplished it. Now it was time to celebrate.”
Speaking out: Daniel explained that after his first Bond outing in Casino Royale in 2006 he had asked Broccoli how many he had to make
I said, “How many of these movies must I make?” I said ‘how many of these movies do you need?’ She replied with a count of four. She was like, “four”. Is that a lot of?
“I replied, “OK, I’ll make him four. Can I get rid of him at the end?” After a pause, she finally said “yes”, and she was able to finish the sentence.
“I had some sort of plan, but I’m not sure what it was. It said that we could get it right, and then if it got to the desired place, they would need to reset.
“And you have to let go of the one thing that is holding you back and begin a different idea. My feeling was that I could let go of my own version so someone else could start and mine can be destroyed.
“But that also meant there might be an emotional arc or a arc I could follow, and that means that whatever he does, or must do, then he needs to go.
“And that was a really complicated story to solve, but I knew that it would be the ultimate sacrifice, but one that had a purpose.
The coronavirus crisis caused the latest installment in the long-running spy movie franchise to be delayed three more times. However, it still went on to be the most popular Hollywood film of 2021
Although there had been speculation that the star would retire as 007 following 2015’s Spectre, he said that a story from 2006’s Casino Royale was what compelled him to make one more appearance as the legendary secret agent.
“I was convinced that I wasn’t physically capable of doing anything else.” For me, it was very cut and dried that I wasn’t coming back,’ Daniel told Total Film.
Broccoli said Craig had been’so tired after that movie,’ and that they were aware that he needed to take a rest.
It was nearly two years before Barbara Wilson and Michael Wilson, her half-brother, approached Daniel about making another Bond movie. Daniel remembered a Casino Royale story that he had wanted to finish.
‘We started talking about it and I went, “There might be a story we need to finish here – something we started in Casino (Royale),”‘ Daniel said.
“Something that had to do Vesper, and Spectre. And something that was related, in a way. It was beginning to take shape. It began to form.
Moving: Speaking on the Awards Chatter podcast, Daniel said that he felt Bond was ‘happy and fulfilled’ when he finally met his maker