Idris Elba has sent the internet into a frenzy after appearing to drop a major hint that he could be the next actor to play James Bond. The 53-year-old screen star shared a cryptic video from Madame Tussauds on Saturday, playfully interacting with the famous waxworks.
The Cryptic 007 Tease
In the clip, the iconic James Bond theme music plays as the camera pans past wax figures of former 007 actors. It finally settles on Elba himself, standing at the end of the line as if he were the next in the legendary spy's lineage. Fans were quick to interpret the video as a not-so-subtle announcement, flooding the comments with excitement.
Supporters hailed him as the perfect successor to Daniel Craig, with comments ranging from 'Not just the bond we want… the bond we NEED' to 'You would be an AMAZING Bond'. The speculation comes as the search for a new Bond continues to be one of the most talked-about casting decisions in Hollywood.
A Stellar Career and Surprising Future Plans
Elba is undoubtedly a box office powerhouse, with his films having grossed over $9.8 billion globally, placing him among the top 20 highest-grossing actors. However, despite this monumental success, the actor has recently revealed plans to eventually step away from acting.
Speaking at a Q&A during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, Elba discussed his career trajectory. 'I'm hoping that my fan base as an actor isn't mad at me, but eventually I want to transfer to be a director fully,' he stated. He explained that while he still loves acting, directing allows him to 'flex slightly different muscles'.
At the festival, he was promoting his new short film 'Dust To Dreams', his second directorial project following 2018's 'Yardie'. The film tells the story of a shy young woman who inherits her late mother's struggling Lagos nightclub, leading to a reunion with her estranged father, played by singer Seal.
From Imposter Syndrome to Political Ambitions
In a wide-ranging interview, Elba also admitted to feeling like an 'imposter in the political arena' when mixing with heads of state and ministers. This has led him to consider a surprising move: going back to school.
'I don't want to be a politician, but I think there's something quite appealing about educating myself to step into those arenas with more experience of how to make change,' he said. He expressed interest in studying human science to become more effective in his philanthropy and activism, particularly concerning media opportunities in Africa.
Despite these long-term plans, retirement isn't imminent. According to reports, a second 'Luther' movie is in the pipeline, set to begin filming in February next year for Netflix. The sequel to 2023's 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' will see the return of Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan and Dermot Crowley as Martin Schenk, with Jamie Payne returning to direct.
