Idris Elba Says He Was Interested in Portraying James Bond Until 'It Became About Race'

The actor had long been rumored to portray 007, who was last played by Daniel Craig in 2021's 'No Time To Die'

Idris Elba is speaking candidly about being considered to portray James Bond and how he was put off from the role when "it became about race."

While appearing on a recent episode of Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes' podcast, SmartLess, the 50-year-old actor said he was initially "super complimented" when rumors swirled that he could step into Bond's shoes.

“We’re all actors and we understand that that role is one of those sort of coveted types. It’s like being named Sexiest Man [Alive]," he said, referring to the PEOPLE title, which he was awarded back in 2018.

"But being asked to be James Bond was like, 'Okay, you've sort of reached the pinnacle,' " Elba continued.

"Essentially, it was a huge compliment that every corner of the world — except for some corners, which we will not talk about — were really happy about the idea that I could be considered," he added. "Those that weren't happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense, and I got the brunt of it."

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Related: Idris Elba Elaborates on Statement About Not Describing Himself as a 'Black Actor'

Bond was last played by Daniel Craig in 2021's No Time To Die. Others who have played 007 include Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

Elba's name entered the mix long before Craig's final bow as Bond, when Sony Pictures executive Amy Pascal revealed in a leaked 2014 email that she felt "Idris should be the next Bond."

Barbara Broccoli, one of the franchise's lead producers, said last year that Elba had "been part of the conversation" as she appeared on Deadline's Crew Call podcast.

"Well, we know Idris, I'm friends with him, and he's a magnificent actor," she said in January 2022. "It's been part of the conversation, but it's always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat."

"I think we have decided that until No Time to Die has kind of had its run and Daniel has been able to — well, we've all been able to — reap the benefits of Daniel's wonderful tenure, we're not gonna think about or talk about anybody else, actors to play the role or storylines or anything. We just wanna live in the moment, the present," added Broccoli, 63.

Related: Pierce Brosnan Admits Being Asked Who Should Play James Bond Next Is 'Sometimes Wearisome'

Elba, however, admitted he was "nowhere" near being cast as Bond while speaking to The Guardian earlier this year.

"I love the Bond franchise, I'm very close to the producers," he said. "We were all kind of laughing about the rumors because they are just that."

Elba continued, "I can't speak for [the producers], but from my perspective, there's never been any sort of truth to any of it. It's a compliment, and it's an honor — but it's not a truth."

Last June, Broccoli said that "nobody's in the running" for the starring role, adding, "There isn't a script and we can't come up with one until we decide how we're going to approach the next film because, really, it's a reinvention of Bond. We're reinventing who he is and that takes time."

Broccoli also added at the time that filming for the next iteration of a Bond film "is at least two years away."

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