After years of speculation, we can finally stop asking Idris Elba if he will be the next James Bond. Turns out he’s too old to be the suave spy.
Following on from Daniel Craig’s 007 swansong No Time To Die, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are currently seeking the next actor to portray Bond, but have warned the next movie won’t start filming for at least two more years.
Despite only turning 50 this month – and looking at least two decades younger than that – Elba has been all but ruled out by Bond producers who want someone to stick with the franchise for at least a decade.
‘He’s great. We love Idris,’ Broccoli tells Variety. ‘The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off,’ Broccoli explained. ‘And when we cast Bond, it’s a ten to 12-year commitment. So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting Daniel Craig to do it.’
When filming commenced in January 2006 for his first Bond movie, Casino Royale, Craig was 35 years old, and would stay with the franchise until 2019 with No Time To Die, by which time he was a more mature 53.
Just weeks ago, Elba seemed to rule himself out of the running for the next 007 during an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
‘I don’t have an opinion on who plays James Bond next,’ he said. ‘I think that it could be really well cast, and I look forward to whoever gets it. When I look in the mirror, I don’t see James Bond.’
The search for Bond continues – pensioners need not apply.
You can buy James Bond’s Aston Martin from No Time To Die.
Daniel Craig interview: ‘My advice to the next James Bond? Don’t be sh*t!’