Idris Elba has shut down long-running rumours linking him to the role of James Bond, insisting he was never actually in contention to play 007.
The actor addressed the speculation while attending the premiere of his new film Masters of the Universe, where he was asked how he felt about his name repeatedly being mentioned as a possible successor to Daniel Craig.
“My name's not getting thrown out, no way. They're going younger,” Elba said. “And I wish them all the luck of the world. I can't wait — it's going to be amazing.”
He added: “I'm honestly not in the race ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place.”
Elba had spent years at the centre of Bond rumours, with fans frequently campaigning for him to become the first Black actor to take on the iconic role.
Speculation reignited again late last year after the actor shared a playful video from Madame Tussauds, where he interacted with various wax figures, prompting some fans to believe he was teasing a Bond announcement.
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However, attention has now shifted towards a younger generation of actors as casting for the next era of the franchise officially gets underway.
Among the names increasingly linked to the role is Jacob Elordi, who recently received a high-profile endorsement from his Saltburn co-star Rosamund Pike, herself a former Bond girl.
“He's a fantastic actor,” Pike told GQ. “He certainly looks like a great Bond. I mean, why not?”
Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that the search for the next Bond is now officially underway following Craig’s departure after 2021’s No Time To Die.
The studio said: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Statement from Amazon MGM Studios:
“The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.” pic.twitter.com/ngND7VS83I— James Bond (@007) May 14, 2026
The upcoming film, widely referred to as Bond 26, will mark the first full Bond production developed under Amazon MGM following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in 2022.
It also signals a major transition for the franchise after long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped back from creative control last year, ending decades of oversight by the Broccoli family.
Acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival and Sicario, is attached to direct the next instalment, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is set to write the screenplay.
Meanwhile, speculation around the next Bond remains intense, with actors including Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Harris Dickinson, Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan all linked to the role in recent months.
Barry Keoghan will portray Ringo Starr in the upcoming 'Big Four' biopics. Lev Radin, Shutterstock
Keoghan has previously suggested he may be better suited to playing a Bond villain instead, saying the pressure attached to portraying 007 may not appeal to him creatively.
“(James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that,” Keoghan said when asked about the speculation.
“It’s nice to see your name go up there, but I don’t think I fit the criteria for James Bond.”
Instead, the Oscar-nominated actor admitted he would rather play one of Bond’s enemies.
“I’d rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, that’s more me.”
Music rumours surrounding the franchise have also begun to build, with names including Dua Lipa, Oasis and Yungblud reportedly being discussed in connection with the next Bond theme song.
Yungblud, speaking in a new interview, said he would “absolutely love” to record a Bond theme — and would happily team up with Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher if they would have him.
“For any British artist, a Bond song is the goal,” he said, comparing the opportunity to headlining Glastonbury.
The rumours that Oasis might be in the frame for the next 007 soundtrack have been circulating for months.
Noel recently addressed the chatter, confirming that there has been no official approach from the franchise — but not ruling it out either. He’s previously argued that the theme should be handled by British artists rather than Americans and even joked he’d happily appear in a future film as “a Mancunian villain.”
Liam, never one to let speculation pass quietly, added fuel to the fire last month when he posted on X: “It’s happening you wait till you hear it it’s the best BOND tune ever.”
It’s happening you wait till you hear it it’s the best BOND tune ever
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) December 6, 2025
After hearing about Yungblud’s enthusiasm for collaborating, Liam responded in typically dry fashion. When a fan asked how the Bond song was coming along, he replied: “It’s finished just waiting for yungblud to finish his triangle solo.” He followed up by joking that Noel had been “teaching yungblud the parts for the triangle solo bits.”
