Idris Elba Insists He's "Too Old" to Play James Bond, Says the 007 Life "Sounds Terrible”

Idris Elba once again shot down rumors that he’ll play James Bond, insisting he's "too old" for the part of 007.

July 22, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

When you really think about it, the whole James Bond thing is kinda played out. For decades now, we've all given money to a franchise wherein a boring white dude strolls around the world in various fast automobiles while sipping martinis and, I don't know, pretending Jason Bourne doesn't exist? As fate would have it, even Idris Elba—rumored Bond replacement—pretty much agrees.

"If I'm really honest man, I think I'm too old for that," Elba, 43, said during an interview with Good Morning America Thursday. "Running around in cars and ladies and martinis, who wants to do that? Sounds terrible." However, Elba added, damn near everyone really wants it to happen.

"I keep saying if it were to happen it would be the will of a nation because there hasn't been any talks between me and the studio about any of that," Elba added. "But everywhere I go people want that to happen, so." Those following the Elba x Bond narrative closely will recall that this whole thing reached a bit of a peak after Bond book series author Anthony Horowitz offensively dubbed Elba as "too street" for the role.

Horowitz eventually apologized, followed shortly after by Elba joking on Instagram that he learned how to shrug off negative comments "from the street."

But Idris Elba has no reason to sweat the 007 nonsense. In addition to starring in this week's surefire hit Star Trek Beyond, the GOAT Office guest star is also set for Thor: Ragnarok and Stephen King's The Dark Tower alongside part-time teacher Matthew McConaughey.