Idris Elba has spent years politely dodging the same question — Would you ever play James Bond? Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to? The actor, activist, DJ, former Sexiest Man Alive and straight up decent bloke has just been immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds London, and instead of playing it straight, he turned the moment into a full-blown Bond bit.
In a newly released TikTok-style video, Elba posed alongside wax figures of Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, and other former 007s, cheekily “joining” the franchise at long last — at least in spirit. It’s the closest thing fans have gotten to Idris Elba as Bond, and yes, the internet did exactly what you’d expect. Also, the guy looks good as 007.
The timing couldn’t be better. The next Bond film — the still-untitled Bond 26 — is shaping up to be the longest gap between movies in the franchise’s 60-year history. Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049) is set to direct, with Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) writing the script, but there’s still no actor announced to replace Daniel Craig.
Why Was Idris Elba Turned Into Wax?
The wax figure itself is uncannily realistic. Dressed in the exact outfit Elba wore in July 2024 when he met King Charles to discuss youth violence prevention and The King’s Trust, the figure captures a version of Elba that’s equal parts movie star and real-world changemaker. When he first saw it, Elba was visibly stunned — so much so that he immediately FaceTimed his mom, Eve. Elba later said in a statement:
“It’s truly an honour to be recognised in this way and even more special to know this other version of me will be standing tall in London. So, even when I’m away, a part of me is always at home.”
He compared the process to preparing for a film role, adding that working with the artists to get every detail right felt surprisingly familiar — just with the twist that this time, the character was him.
And while Elba may never get the chance to step into Bond’s tuxedo after all this time, this was a great little Easter egg for those of us who have long championed him for the role. Maybe there’s a chance yet. As Bond 26 inches forward under Amazon MGM’s watchful eye, with Villeneuve taking the reins and rumors swirling around potential new leads, Elba’s wax-era Bond moment lands as both a playful goodbye and a perfect “what if.”
The James Bond movies can be seen on Prime Video.
Headshot Of Idris Elba In The World premiere of Luther: The Fallen Sun at the BFI IMAX in London.
Birthname
Idrissa Akuna Elba
Birthdate
September 6, 1972
Birthplace
Hackney, London, England, UK