Idris Elba dashes James Bond hopes, the internet weeps

First he got our hopes up with a cryptic tweet, but then he followed up with "don't believe the hype," dashing dreams everywhere

Idris Elba has in the past tended to dismiss the Bond rumours, insisting he is “too old” to take on the role.  AP

So, will Idris Elba be the next James Bond? He certainly wants us all talking about it.

On Sunday, he set the internet on fire by tweeting "The name's Elba, Idris Elba". The tweet came after The Equalizer director Antoine Fuqua told the UK's Daily Star that franchise producer Barbara Broccoli said it is "time" for a black actor to take on the role. Elba fans took it as a sign the Luther actor could be picking up the mantle as Britain's favourite spy.

A few hours later, Elba tweeted a picture of Public Enemy, with the next tweet stating "Don't Believe The Hype," which is the title of one of the rap groups most famous songs.

This cryptic tweet has already attracted 1,200 comments and about 2,400 retweets. With the first tweet, hopes soared, but then came a deluge of distraught comments after Elba's second tweet.

Here are some of the funniest misery memes we've seen in reaction...

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User @SGrodent won't stop believing.

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All user @ShayGlenn could do was cry and plead for Elba's latest tweet not to mean what he thought.

We loved this quick vid by @danielojanltva that shows Sean Connery walking into a room, throwing his hat towards a table, where it ends up spinning around and landing on Elba's head.

What could be sadder than Oprah crying?

It's all just getting too much

Someone believed they have seen the hype though: @David_Liss saw a hidden message in Elba's latest tweet.

We would certainly love to see Elba in the role of 007. Here's hoping.

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Read more:

The next James Bond? Idris Elba teases fans over casting rumours

Double or nothing: Meet Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton

Four things we’ve learned from new Spectre trailer

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