Idris Elba ‘Not Willing to Make a Fool of Himself’ For James Bond Role: ‘Already Made His Case’ (Exclusive)

Idris Elba has long been the fan-favorite choice to follow in Daniel Craig’s footsteps as James Bond.

“He’s had a million unofficial conversations about the job over the years but an official offer has never materialized, no matter how much public support he’s built up,” a source tells Closer.

Now that casting is finally underway — Amazon MGM Studios bought the rights to Bond in 2025 and Dune director Denis Villeneuve is searching for a fresh-faced unknown actor to play the iconic British spy in the upcoming reboot, per Deadline — Elba is “more annoyed than ever,” the source admits.

“Idris is not willing to make a fool of himself just to get this role,” says the source, “and he’s not getting his hopes up that producers are willing to look seriously at an actor not in his late twenties or early thirties.”

There’s no shortage of roles for Elba.

“He’s not starving for exciting, high-paying work at all,” says Closer’s source.

And the Golden Globes winner has no intention of begging for them, either.

“At some point, he got tired of all the questions and speculation around his involvement in the franchise, both as a potential new 007 or as an intimidating supervillain opposite whatever younger actor gets the role,” the source explains.

“Either possibility could still happen, but Idris is not jumping through any more hoops to convince people that he’s worthy of being in these films,” adds the source. “He’s already made his case, and he’s going let the chips fall where they may.”