Idris Elba Out Of The Race To Be The Next ‘James Bond 007’

Fans of both British actor Idris Elba and fictional spy James Bond will be disappointed. While there has been a vibrant fan movement for years for the actor of The Suicide Squad to take on the role of 007, those hopes appear to have been dashed. Insiders at Eon Productions (the film business that has produced Bond films since 1961) have disclosed to the Daily Star that the search for the next actor to play the most renowned cinematic spy in history has some very particular requirements. For one thing, the actor must be "fresh-faced" and under the age of 40. Another requirement is that the actor be taller than 5' 10". Unfortunately, this implies Idris Elba is out of the race to portray James Bond, unless the requirements are suddenly changed.

Idris Elba is reputedly 6'2" tall, which implies he meets the James Bond height criteria. While judging actors' height is often tricky (due to camera trickery, apple boxes, and performers who may not be comfortable with their modest size being advertised), Taron Egerton, Kit Harington, and John Boyega appear to be disqualified. All three actors have been polled highly for the part of the British super-agent; there is even a cottage industry in the realm of gambling as to who will play the role next, with constantly shifting chances on stars like Henry Cavill and Tom Hiddleston.

Idris Elba, on the other hand, is 42 years old, which implies that he has officially aged out of the role of James Bond, according to these rumors. It also eliminates Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill from consideration, as well as several of the long-standing possible Bonds.

Not long ago, Barbara Broccoli, a long-time important player at Eon Productions, stated that Idris Elba was "in the conversation" for the role of the next James Bond. Things appear to have changed, in part because Eon Productions is searching for an actor who can play 007 in at least three films. Daniel Craig, the most recent Bond actor, was 38 when he first appeared in Casino Royale and 53 when he appeared in No Time to Die. Eon Productions is presumably following the same strategy as when it replaced the 58-year-old Roger Moore with the 42-year-old Pierce Brosnan (who was supposed to play the role years earlier but was prevented by prior contracts).

James Bond casting is always tough and contentious, with fans arguing about anything from Daniel Craig's blonde hair to Roger Moore's weight to George Lazenby not being dubbed "Sean Connery." In many respects, Idris Elba may count himself fortunate to no longer be considered for the role of James Bond, with all of the expectations and professional baggage that comes with it. It may disappoint the legions of admirers who have supported him for years, but a new James Bond will undoubtedly appear shortly.

All 6 James Bond film actors

Only six actors have portrayed British secret agent James Bond on film (seven if you count David Niven in the parody version of Casino Royale).

George Lazenby

George Lazenby holds a special place in our hearts, but as he has only appeared in one Bond movie, he must come in last.

While the Australian model's portrayal of 007 first drew scorn from critics, his performance in On Her Majesty's Secret Service has now been praised as one of the series' high points.

Even though Lazenby is occasionally wooden and his lack of acting expertise raised a Roger Moore-sized eyebrow at the time, his sensitive portrayal of the character is nonetheless enjoyable to see today.

Roger Moore

Roger Moore, who participated in seven different 007 movies, each as weird as the last, undoubtedly gave the most eccentric interpretation of James Bond. Moore's Bond would expose the character to infinite parody in movies like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, taking him to the grandiose heights of space in Moonraker before unleashing all the series' inherent campness in Octopussy.

Although he teetered on the line between gentleman and jester, Roger Moore's Bond is still a beloved character in the series' heritage because he personifies the joy and silliness that the brand has since lost. While he may be a far cry from Daniel Craig's action-packed take on the role, there are a few instances from the Roger Moore period that stand out, albeit not always for the right reasons.

Daniel Craig

When a blonde actor was chosen to play the next Bond in the early 2000s, some fans were incensed.

However, once the superb Casino Royale was published, any skepticism was quickly dispelled, and Daniel Craig has now played Bond for the most number of years than any other actor.

Moore may have leaned too far toward the "silly" end of the spectrum, whereas Craig's term may have leaned toward the "grim reality" end.

Craig's movies have generally been clever and action-packed, with the exception of one dud (Quantum of Solace), even though Craig himself occasionally seems to grow tired with the part.

Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton, like Lazenby before him, has frequently been forgotten, maybe because he only appeared in two movies (though he would have like to), which were delayed in the early 1990s.

However, if you go back and watch his two movies from the late 1980s, they are the ideal combination of silly 1980s Bond and a hint of what Daniel Craig would do two decades later.

Although ferocious, Dalton's Bond nevertheless has a little twinkle in his eye. Underrated.

Pierce Brosnan

Prior to Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan was the last performer in the original Bond chronology.

Die Another Day, Brosnan's fourth and final movie, sadly, was a bad movie that may have tarnished his reputation as Bond.

But Brosnan consistently shines as the ideal blend of cheeky, menacing, and endearing, and he merits greater acclaim.

Sean Connery

The late Sir Sean Connery is a good example of the adage that the original is always the finest.

No one has surpassed Sean, despite Diamonds Are Forever's flaws and the oddity of having him reprise his role as Bond in the unofficial Never Say Never Again.

Since then, everyone has attempted to imitate him since his Bond is the absolute height of coolness. Can he ever be surpassed?