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

Does actor's tweet confirm he is lining up to play 007?

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 22, 2018 British actor, director and executive producer Idris Elba speaks during a press conference to present the film "Yardie" shown in the "Panorama Special" category during the 68th edition of the Berlinale film festival in Berlin . - British actor Idris Elba fuelled speculation on August 12, 2018, that he may be named the first black man to play superspy James Bond, with a cryptic tweet. (Photo by Stefanie Loos / AFP)
Powered by automated translation

Idris Elba has set the internet alight with a tweet that has reignited the long-fomenting rumours that he is set to take over from Daniel Craig as James Bond.

The tweet, paraphrasing the famous Bond introduction, said simply "The name's Elba, Idris Elba," and came just days after The Equaliser director Antoine Fuqua told the UK's Daily Star that franchise producer Barbara Broccoli, daughter of Albert "Cubby" Broccoli who originally started the Bond movie franchise with Sean Connery in the role in 1962's Dr No, had said it is "time" for a black actor to take on the role.

Elba has in the past tended to dismiss the Bond rumours, insisting he is "too old" to take on the role. Current Bond Daniel Craig, who is believed to have one more Bond movie in his contract, is 50, and Star Trek Beyond and The Wire star Elba isn't too far behind at 45 years-of-age. The latest tweet, however, seems to suggest he may have had a change of heart, unless the notoriously cheeky Londoner is simply playing games with his 2.5m followers.

Elba’s fans were delighted at the news, although the star has yet to respond to any of the many replies to his tweet asking him to confirm that he is indeed lined up to play Bond.

Not everyone was thrilled at the potential development, however. David Black, from the International James Bond Fan Club, told the BBC: “"It [Bond] was created by Ian Fleming and it was his work of art. Surely you should be as true as you can be to what he wanted. Otherwise, where do we end up?"

David Black had an alternative idea for a role for Elba, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to find him copping some online flack for the apparent underlying racism of his theory: “[He] would absolutely make a very good Bond villain," he asserted, questionably.

______________________

Read more:

Double or nothing: Meet Hollywood stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton

Four things we’ve learned from new Spectre trailer

Spectre back to haunt Bond in new film?

______________________