Time and time again, Iris Elba has been dubbed ‘the next James Bond.’ But as to date, we’re yet to see the actor suited and booted ready to take on the iconic role of 007. And as it turns out, the Luther actor is getting pretty tired of all the ongoing rumours.
While been interviewed for the Telegraph recently, Elba said he didn’t want to talk about any James Bond related rumours.
"At first it was harmless – oh, I know, wouldn't it be great? – and now it's started off racial debates. I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I've not even played the role. Enough is enough. I can't talk about it anymore."
Talk of whether he could take up the role has crept back into conversation recently, after the character’s creator, Anthony Horowitz, described Idris as “too street” to play his fictional creation.
Horowitz told The Mail On Sunday’s Event Magazine:
"Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better.
"For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part... It's not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah."
Understandly, lots of people didn’t react well to his comments. Horowitz later apologised, saying he was "mortified to have caused offence.”
Which helps exlpain just what Elba is talking about, and why Idris is sick of the entire subject.
Although we will say it, we think he’d make an awesome Bond. And we want it to happen. We just won’t say it to him.