Could Idris Elba be being lined up to take over the role of James Bond when Daniel Craig steps down? According to the latest Sony Picture leaks that could well be the case.
Idris Elba
Elba has long since been linked to the role of 007 - along with a whole host of other British actors - but The Daily Beast has reported that the Luther star is a serious contender for the role.
In more leaked emails from Sony chairman Amy Pascal, she simply wrote 'Idris should be the next Bond.' It is believed that Pascal was emailing Elizabeth Cantillon, former vice president of production of Columbia Pictures, at the time.
Over the last couple of years Elba has made no secret of his interest in playing 007 on the big screen for the first time. However, Craig is still in the role of the time being.
Filming has just got underway on Spectre, which is the fourth outing as Bond for Craig - who is contracted to star in five films for the franchise.
Craig made his debut back in 2006 with Casino Royale, and has gone on to star in Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. The latter hit the big screen back in 2012, and went on to be the highest grossing Bond movie of all time as it was a critical and commercial smash.
As for Elba, we are going to be seeing plenty of him on the big screen next year as he has already completed work on A Hundred Street, Beats of No Nation, The Gunman, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The actor is currently working on a new adaptation of The Jungle Book, which will see him voice the character of Shere Khan.
Spectre is set to be released 23rd October 2015.
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