Idris Elba discusses James Bond casting rumors in Maxim

Idris Elba hasn’t been shy about expressing his flattery for all of the fans who have suggested he be the next actor to play James Bond. But, as the actor told Maxim in its September issue, choosing him at this point would ruin the surprise that comes with each new actor filling the role.

Elba, who is the first male to be on the cover of Maxim by himself, opened up about all of the fervor supporting the wishful casting. The actor has previously said that so much support for his casting was likely what would kill any chance of him landing the role, and was asked about why he felt that way.

“If I were the Bond producers and everyone was pointing me toward one actor, what’s the surprise in that?” Elba told the magazine. “Honestly, it’s one of those things that if it should happen, it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy; it would be the will of a nation.”

So while Elba was once elated by all the support behind the would-be casting, it sounds like he isn’t expecting to be offered the chance any time soon. And after all, Daniel Craig’s latest turn as Bond in Spectre hasn’t even hit theaters yet.

The Idris Elba-fronted issue of Maxim is currently on newsstands.

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