Will Smith Says Idris Elba Would Be A 'Great' Bond

by Helen Earnshaw | 10 March 2015

Will Smith has thrown his weight behind Idris Elba for the role of James Bond.

Will Smith

Elba has been linked to the role of Bond for a few years, but the talk around the British actor taking over from Daniel Craig has increased in pace over the last few months - however, nothing has been made official.

And Smith is now throwing his opinion into the ring, says that Idris would be a 'great' Bond. The actor also suggested that there is no 'cooler' British actor than Elba at the moment. Speaking to The Sun newspaper, Smith said: "He would make a great Bond. I don't think it really matters that he would be the first black Bond, the prerequisite for Bonds has been to be a cool, talented, British actor.

"At the moment there aren't many, if any, British actors that are cooler or more talented than Idris."

Smith is not the first person to voice support for Idris as 007, as Pierce Brosnan and Kanye West have also voicing their hopes that he would eventually take over from Craig. Rumours about who is going to take over from Craig have been circulating ever since Craig took up the role back in 2006. However, the role of 007 is not a vacant one yet as Craig is set to return to the role later this year in Spectre.

Spectre will be the fourth time Craig has played Bond, coming after the success of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and Skyfall.

Spectre is the twenty fourth film in the Bond series and comes three years after the billion dollar success of Skyfall. Craig is expected to return to the role for Bond 25.

Filming on Spectre is still underway and will see Sam Mendes return to the director's chair for his second consecutive Bond movie. Craig is joined on the cast list by Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Dave Bautista, and Andrew Scott. Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, and Naomie Harris will also be returning as M, Q, and Eve Moneypenny.