James Bond Rumors: Idris Elba Being Next 007 Gaining Steam Once More

The search is on as to who will be the next James Bond and it appears there is one familiar name in the mix.

According to insiders, veteran actor Idris Elba has long been in talks to be the next agent 007. The original plans included the 49-year-old actor portraying the role of an antagonist.

Now, it appears to talk about Elba possibly starring in the famed spy film are up again but with the veteran actor taking on the lead role. A reason behind this is that producers allegedly realized how popular the English actor was after carrying out a secret market research.

That said, producers wanted to see him not as a nemesis but as a hero.

This is the latest update on Elba possibly being the new James Bond. Earlier this year, producer Barbara Broccoli confirmed that the four-time Golden Globe Award for Best Actor nominee was being considered for the 007 role.

"Well, we know Idris, we're friends with him, and he's a magnificent actor... And, you know, it's been part of the conversation, but it's always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat," Broccoli said.

But at the time, Broccoli also said that no discussions on who the next James Bond would take place until Daniel Craig was officially done playing the role.

"I think we have decided that until No Time to Die has had its run and Daniel has been able to -- well, we've all been able to savor, reap the benefits of Daniel's wonderful tenure, we're not gonna think about, or talk about anybody else," she explained.

Elba is aware of the clamor but was clueless about the debate.

"If someone said to me ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, Yeah! That’s fascinating to me. But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, 'Yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond,'" Elba said.