Idris Elba shuts down James Bond reports at Star Trek Beyond premiere: It’s just a rumour

Idris Elba has shut down reports that he is in the running to be the next James Bond.

Elba’s name has been bandied around as a possible successor to Daniel Craig as the iconic 007 agent – but the actor appeared to refute the rumours at the premiere of his latest film Star Trek Beyond.

Speaking to reporters he said: “There’s nothing to ask me about Bond, it’s just a rumour.”

When asked if he would like to play the character, he replied: “Everybody wants to be Bond.”

Elba’s co-star Simon Pegg also addressed the ‘rumours’ and threw his support behind the actor, before deciding that Elba is “bigger than Bond”.

“Absolutely why not," he told reporters when asked if he would like to see Elba in the role. "This is the age of shaking it up.

“Or why not a new character for Idris? Idris is bigger than Bond.”

Elba’s comments come a week after bookmakers suspended betting on James Norton after an “unprecedented” number of bets were placed on the War and Peace actor.

It was later reopened with Norton’s odds reduced to 4/7.

Ladbrokes spokesperson Jess Bridge said: “We closed betting temporarily after an unprecedented run of bets on James Norton, who was backed into favouritism from 20/1 in a matter of hours.

“We decided to take a breather whilst the market settled down. Betting has just reopened and due to the support yesterday and money wagered Norton is the odds-on favourite at 4/7.”

Aidan Turner, Tom Hiddleston and Jamie Bell are also among the rumoured names.

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