Idris Elba believes that his chance to play James Bond has gone.
Idris Elba
Despite Daniel Craig still very much being in the role, rumours have been circulating about who will take over as 007 when he finally steps down... Elba has been the overwhelming favourite.
The public support seemed to be echoed by Sony, when it was revealed in the leaked emails that Amy Pascal was keen to have the actor in the role next.
And while Elba has never denied that he would love to play the role, he believes that his chance has gone.
Speaking to the audience at London's British Film Institute, he said: It's a rumour that's really started to eat itself. If there was a chance of me getting Bond, it's gone.
"Daniel Craig actually set the rumour off. About four years ago he said Idris Elba would be a great Bond and then it started to creep. I blame Daniel."
Bond is set to return to the big screen later this year with Spectre, which will be the fourth outing as 007 for Craig.
The movie will see Sam Mendes back in the director's chair, while Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Dave Bautista, and Andrew Scott are some of the new faces on board.
As for Elba, he is set to make an appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron - where he will be set to reprise the role of Heimdall. It will be the first time that we have seen him take on this role since Thor: The Dark World.
The actor has also completed work on Beasts of No Nation, A Hundred Streets, and Bastille Day. He is currently lending his voice to The Jungle Book.
Jon Favreau is in the director's chair for the film, which is one of two Jungle Book movies we are going to see over the next couple of years. Elba will be voicing the character of Shere Khan in the film, while Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray, and Ben Kingsley are just some of the other names on board.
Tagged in Idris Elba