
Idris Elba has revealed why he removed himself from the James Bond casting conversation. In a new interview with SmartLess, the Marvel actor opened up on how racist backlash put him off the idea of playing 007 after Daniel Craig.
"The truth is, I was super complimented for a long time about this," Elba explained, while promoting his upcoming Apple TV Plus series Hijack. "I was like, 'This is crazy! James Bond?' We're all actors, and we understand that role. It's one of those coveted [parts]. Being asked to be James Bond was like, 'Ok, you've sort of reached the pinnacle.' That's one of those things the whole world has a vote in."