Idris Elba to play James Bond? 'It is time'

Idris Elba is back in the running to play James Bond after Daniel Craig. Photo / Supplied

Idris Elba is one of many stars to be linked to the role of James Bond, as speculation continues over who will take over from Daniel Craig when he leaves the franchise.

And the actor, 45, appears to be back in the running for the coveted 007 role after Bond producer Barbara Broccoli said 'it is time' for a non-white leading man to play the character.

Speaking with American filmmaker Antoine Fuqua on Thursday about who could next take on the role she said it 'will happen eventually' and Idris is a clear favourite.

According to the DailyMail, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the role, and Idris was first revealed to be a front-runner back in 2014 when leaked emails suggested he should be cast.

In the correspondence, which was released during the massive Sony hack that year, the then-studio co-chair Amy Pascal said to a colleague: "Idris should be the next Bond."

But the actor has denied the claims on several occasions, and has also said that it's time for a woman to take on the role instead.

In January, the Luthor star said producers should "do something different" with the role and have a black or white actress take up the mantle of the spy franchise.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, he said: "It could be a woman - could be a black woman, could be a white woman," he said. "Do something different with it. Why not?"

Several actress have been tipped to play the Bond role in the past, with X Files star Gillian Anderson being shunted to the forefront of speculation after a fan tweeted a convincing poster of her as Bond in 2016.

Other actors whose names have been suggested to take over the role of 007 include McMafia star James Norton, Tom Hardy, and Poldark's Aidan Turner.

It was recently confirmed Daniel will return to his 007 role for fifth time, in the 25th Bond movie which is directed by Danny Boyle.

Universal Pictures also won the international distribution rights to the film, which will drop in the UK first on October 25, 2019.

Craig's return to the role will undoubtedly stun fans as he stated three years ago that he would "rather slit his wrists" than take on the role once more.

EON Productions' Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli told Deadline this month: "We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th instalment of the franchise.

"We will begin shooting Bond 25 at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and thrilled that Universal will be our international distributor. Production on the movie, which will land in the US on November 8, 2019."

Speaking in 2015, when asked about returning to the role, Craig told the Guardian: "Now? I'd rather … slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on."