In a new interview with British GQ<\/a>, the 53-year-old actor opened up about the longstanding rumors about him being cast as the next 007 and explained why the audience won’t go for a “Black male.”<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve always felt that it\u2019s not a realistic thing,” he told the outlet. “James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don\u2019t go for that. Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won\u2019t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That\u2019s not what they like in their culture. Period.”<\/p>\n JAMES BOND’S \u2018FRESH, EXOTIC NEW\u2019 VISION SPARKS CONTROVERSY ONLINE<\/a><\/p>\n Actor Idris Elba recently spoke out on the debate over his race affecting whether he should be cast as the next James Bond. (Stuart C. Wilson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let\u2019s not try and make it woke<\/a>,” Elba continued. “I think you\u2019ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don\u2019t try and answer the world\u2019s taste. Just be Bond.”<\/p>\n This isn’t the first time Elba has addressed his possible role in the franchise.<\/p>\n In 2023, Elba brought up the persistent discussions about him taking over as<\/a> Ian Fleming\u2019s famed British spy while speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai.<\/p>\n “You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with \u2018J\u2019 and ends with \u2018B,\u2019 but I\u2019m not going to be that guy. I\u2019m going to be John Luther. That\u2019s who I am,” he said.<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n Elba said the audience wouldn’t go for a “Black male” portraying James Bond. (David M. Benett\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “If we spent half the time\u00a0not talking about the differences and the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a shift in the way we deal with each other,” he also told Esquire U.K. at the time. “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people\u2019s aspirations, hinder people\u2019s growth.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n James Bond was most recently played by Daniel Craig<\/a>. However, the actor’s character died in the last installment of the franchise, “No Time to Die.”<\/p>\n Actor Daniel Craig portrayed James Bond for the fifth and final time in the 2021 film “No Time to Die.” (Karwai Tang\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Elba responded<\/a> to backlash over the comments via X.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n “There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not,” Elba wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Being an ‘actor’ is a profession, like being an ‘architect,’ they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Perogative (sic). Ah lie?”<\/p>\n Last month, Amazon shared an update on the next installment, which will be helmed by director Denis Villeneuve.<\/p>\n Statement from Amazon MGM Studios: \u2014 James Bond (@007)\u00a0May 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “The search for the next James Bond is underway,” the post on X reads. “While we don\u2019t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we\u2019re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”<\/p>\n ![\"Actor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781031429_810_idris-elba.jpg\")
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“The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don\u2019t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we\u2019re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/ngND7VS83I<\/a><\/p>\n