New James Bond: Actor ranked among favourites - Idris Elba - rules himself out - who else is in the running?
Here’s who is still in the running to be the next James Bond as Idris Elba rules himself out of iconic 007 role.
Speculation is rife over who will be the next James Bond but one actor ranked among the favourites has ruled themselves out of the running. Idris Elba has ended speculation he could be the next 007, saying he has never been in the running for the role. The Luther star was among the favourites to be the latest star to portray the spy on numerous occasions dating back to 2015.
But he told People Magazine his name was "not getting thrown out. No way" and that he believed Bond film company Amazon MGM would be "going younger" with the next James Bond after Daniel Craig stepped down from the hallowed role.
"I wish them all the luck of the world," Elba said. "I can't wait – it's going to be amazing. [But] I'm honestly not in the race, ever. I wasn't in the race in the first place."
Calling speculation a "huge compliment", Elba said the rumours brought their own problems, in the form of racist comments from Bond fans opposed to the idea of the hero being played by a Black man. 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," he said.
Amazon MGM Studios has stayed quiet on speculation over the next Bond, saying filmmakers were "excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right", while casting director Nina Gold told Deadline she was looking for someone who can "ooze sex appeal".
The next Bond movie will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for the likes of Dune, while Peaky Blinder writer Steven Knight is also working on the project.
Who will play next James Bond? Bookies favourites for 007 job
Last month, Harris Dickinson emerged as the most backed in the ‘Next James Bond’ betting market according to sports betting odds comparison service, Oddschecker. A surge of support for the Beach Rats star saw the 29-year-old's odds slashed from 10/1 into 6/4 on April 22.
Bettors rallied behind the Englishman with 23% of bets, making the 2022 Rising Star BAFTA nominee the most backed actor for the role ahead of the likes of Callum Turner (20%) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (7%).
Other names in the running for the next 007 include Australian actor Jacob Elordi, star of Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, Theo James, Superman actor Henry Cavill, Golden Globe Award nominee Jack Lowden and Jack O’Connell, who played Blake Fielder-Civil in the Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black.
Speaking at the time of Dickinson's surge in popularity, Oddschecker spokesperson Chris Rogers said: “Harris Dickinson’s odds to be the next Bond have been cut from 10/1 into 6/4 making him the second favourite for the gig. The 29-year-old has been strongly backed this week with almost a quarter (23%) of bets expecting him to fend off Callum Turner for his biggest role yet. Turner remains the odds-on favourite (4/5) but continued support for Dickinson could see him move into pole position in the coming weeks.”