'I can't wait to see him as James Bond': Oscar winning writer John Ridley lets slip Idris Elba is set for iconic 007 role
The rumour mill has been swirling in recent months that he's set to take over the renowned James Bond franchise.
And now, it appears fans can expect Idris Elba, 44, in the starring 007 role after his Guerrilla director John Ridley, 51, let sip that he 'can't wait' to see him on the silver screen commanding the iconic role.
Speaking to BBC Radio One at the premiere of their new Sky Atlantic series, the Oscar winning writer couldn't help but gush about the Luther star's talent.
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Bond calling? It appears fans can expect Idris Elba, 44, in the starring 007 role after his Guerrilla director John Ridley, 51, let sip that he 'can't wait' to see him on the silver screen commanding the iconic role
The American director and writer divulged: 'Idris is pretty much becoming a national treasure for every country. We couldn't have done it without him.
'It was a pleasure, he's a gentleman. I can't wait to see him as James Bond quite frankly.'
The pair are working together on political mini series Guerrilla, which centres on young couple Jas (Frieda Pinto) and Marcus (Babou Ceesay), whose 'relationship and values are tested when they liberate a political prisoner and form a radical underground cell in 1970s London.'
Playing Kent in the drama, Idris also executive produced the series with the 12 Years A Slave writer which is set to hit screens on Thursday April 13.
'Can't wait': The American director and writet divulged about Idris: 'It was a pleasure, he's a gentleman. I can't wait to see him as James Bond quite frankly'
New role: Playing Kent in the 1970s based drama, Idris also executive produced the series with the 12 Years A Slave writer which is set to hit screens on Thursday April 13
Despite the confession from Ridley, the British actor shut down the comments as merely fueling gossip.
He insisted on the red carpet: 'Oh my god, I have no idea why he said that. That's another six months of the rumour, oh well.'
MailOnline have contacted Idris Elba's reps for further comment.
It's not the first time the effortlessly cool actor has been linked to the Barbara Broccoli produced movie franchise since Daniel Craig called time on his portrayal of the role after four smash hit flicks.
Touted as one of the hot favourites to take on a license to kill, Idris insisted he's not been involved with any discussions relating to the role in March 2016.
Shut down: Despite the confession from Ridley, the British actor shut down the comments as merely fueling gossip
The much-loved actor recently explained in an interview that he wasn't in talks with the movie executives behind the iconic franchise, saying that anything else was pure rumours.
Speaking to Hello! US in a recent interview, the star put pay to speculation, saying: 'It's all rumour-ville.'
And shutting down any notion that he might be in secret talks regarding Bond, he stated: 'I'm not speaking to the James Bond people, and they're not speaking to me.'
007 bound: It's not the first time the effortlessly cool actor has been linked to the Barbara Broccoli produced movie franchise since Daniel Craig called time on his portrayal of the role after four smash hit flicks
Later that year in an interview with Good Morning America, Idris commented that he's 'too old' to play the action man.
The Wire star admitted to GMA's Michael Strahan that it's the 'wildest rumor in the world' that'll he'll be replacing Craig.
Asked about the never ending speculation, Idris admitted: 'If I'm really honest, man, I think I'm too old for that, I can't be running around in cars and ladies and martinis – who wants to do that? It sounds terrible!' he laughed.
Not in the know: The much-loved actor recently explained in an interview that he wasn't in talks with the movie executives behind the iconic franchise, saying that anything else was pure rumours
Idris has been batting away the rumours for years to become the first black 007, admitting in 2015 that he blamed his pal and current Bond Daniel for starting the speculation.
'Daniel Craig actually set the rumor off. About four years ago he said Idris Elba would be a great Bond, and then it started to creep, ' he told an interviewer. He added, jokingly, 'I blame Daniel.'
With Craig, 49, believed to be leaving the role after four outings and Idris joins Poldark heartthrob Aiden Turner, Jack Huston, James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy and Damian Lewis as the favourites.
'Too old': Asked about the never ending speculation, Idris admitted: 'If I'm really honest, man, I think I'm too old for that'
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