Despite the World’s Wishes, Idris Elba Says He Is “Too Old” To Play James Bond

By Reed Strength  |  July 22, 2016 | 4:46pm
Photos by Chris Jackson/Getty
Movies News Idris Elba

While the current Presidential race is divisive, the world’s choice for who should order their martini shaken not stirred seems clear: Idris Elba.

During Elba’s recent appearance on Good Morning America to discuss his role as the menacing Krall in Star Trek: Beyond, host Michael Strahan bluntly asked if there was any 007 news.

“No, man,” said Elba. “It is the wildest rumor in the world. I keep saying it, if it was to happen, it would be the will of a nation. Because, there’s not been no talks with me and the studios about any of that.”

Previous 007 Daniel Craig told those studios he was done with the role in May, despite studio executives offering him £68 million to suit up once more. Currently, Tom Hiddleston is the popular choice, and perhaps he should be, although Paste contributor Brogan Morris is holding out for Mark Strong.

“But if I’m really honest, man, I think I’m too old for that, man,” said Elba. “I can’t be running around in cars … and ladies and martinis. Who wants to do that? Sounds terrible.”

Technically, at 43, Elba is two years younger than Roger Moore was when he started to play the character in Live and Let Die, and a full 14 years younger than Moore’s last appearance as Bond in A View to Kill.

However disappointing his statements are, Elba will still exude his calm, cool sense of badassery as gunslinger Roland Deschain in the forthcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.

Watch Elba’s Good Morning America appearance below. Bond comes up at 1:36.

 
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