Idris Elba has stirred up longstanding rumours that he is set to play the next James Bond with a cryptic Twitter post.
The Luther star took to Twitter this morning (August 12), sharing a heavily edited photo of himself alongside the caption “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba”, a play on James Bond’s infamous catchphrase “The name’s Bond… James Bond.”
my name’s Elba, Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/kEyyaVg8JX
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018
Fans have predictably lapped up the tweet, with one writing: “If you’re the next Bond, it will be the first Bond film I ever see!” If cast, Elba will be the first black actor ever to play the iconic spy.
The rumours surrounding Elba’s casting as James Bond have hit overdrive in recent days, with producer Barbara Broccoli reportedly telling The Daily Star “it is time” for a non-white actor to take over the role of Bond, adding that it “will happen eventually.” Director Antoine Fuqua added: “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”
However, those reports were subsequently shot down by a representative for Fuqua. “He never had a conversation with Barbara about the franchise or about any casting,” they told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s all made up stuff. Not sure how it got started.”
Reps for Elba declined to comment on the story, however a “knowledgeable source” told the publication that no one from the actor’s team knew of “any overtures.”