Idris Elba is ‘grateful’ to be part of the James Bond discussion, tired of talking about it

Idris Elba is thrilled to be part of the ongoing chatter about the new James Bond, but he wishes he didn’t have to talk about the role all the time.
The movie star has emerged as one of the top three names which keep coming up as fans speculate about a successor to Daniel Craig, who many people expect not to return for a fifth Bond film after last year’s (15) Spectre.
Bookmakers in Britain have placed Tom Hiddleston as the odds-on favourite, but Elba’s name keeps coming up as film fans push for a black Bond.
The Luther star has been asked about Bond in interviews for months and he tells Penthouse magazine he’s tired of talking about the possibility of playing 007.
“It was… something someone said and then bam, it’s all anyone can talk about,” he tells the men’s magazine. “It won’t go away because you lot (media) keep asking about it.
“Hey, it’s not a rumour I’m embarrassed about. God, not in the slightest. It’s the coolest thing to be associated with. It’s a huge compliment and I will never say otherwise… It’s fantastic to be part of the conversation. He’s (Bond) the ultimate icon.”
“I don’t know how many more times I can talk about it,” he adds. “It’s coming across a little repetitive on my part because there hasn’t been any discussions with James Bond producers.
“But it is lovely that there is so much interest. I’m very grateful and thankful for that.”
Meanwhile, fans of the Bond franchise are still anticipating Craig’s decision to step down as 007 after four films. The British actor made it clear he didn’t think he’d be back as Bond while promoting Spectre, but he has yet to make that official.