Here's Why Idris Elba Might Not Ever Play Bond

I can't tell you how many online campaigns I've seen going around to make Idris Elba the new James Bond. Daniel Craig still has this next film, Spectre, to go, and even then he'll probably appear a couple more times. But, Elba's fans have been campaigning for the actor's involvement in the series for ages — but unfortunately, it seems like it may have been in vain. Elba spoke out recently and said that all the all the social media outreach have actually been working against him in securing the role.

"Honestly, it’s a rumor that’s really starting to eat itself," the actor said at London's British Film Institute on Tuesday. "If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone." I know what you're thinking and it probably sounds a lot like, "NOOOOOOOOOO!" — and rightfully so! This is disappointing news.

But, it's worth considering that ultimately dream casting powered by the Internet doesn't work out most of the time: Tyrese Gibson, for one, has been posting fan-made images of himself Photoshopped as Green Lantern, but that's not likely to make waves with Warner Bros. For another, Marvelites have started linking Emily Blunt to the role of Captain Marvel, which also saw a similar campaign for Katee Sackoff. Despite that campaigning, neither have had discussions with the superhero movie giant.

But like all of these previous rumors, we didn't know where talk of Elba's Bond involvement originated from, and were content to accept it as an inevitability. However, Elba also addressed the source — he blames current 007, Craig, Daniel Craig. "Daniel Craig actually set the rumor off," he said during the interview. "About four years ago he said Idris Elba would be a great Bond and then it started to creep. I blame Daniel."

Craig isn't the only one thinks Elba would make a great super spy. Spectre producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli both admitted the Luther heartthrob would be great in the role. Though, Broccoli gave the best answer for why she wouldn't address the rumors:

I think it's always like asking a woman, who is going up the aisle, who her next husband is going to be. Daniel Craig is Bond. So ask me when we're looking for a new Bond, which will hopefully not be for a long time.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be mourning what could have been with Elba as Bond.

Image: Getty Images