Sir Idris Elba has once again weighed in on the long-running conversation surrounding James Bond, stating that the iconic spy franchise should not be made "woke" and suggesting that some audiences would struggle to accept a Black actor in the role.

The British actor, who has spent years at the centre of speculation about who could replace Daniel Craig as 007, made the comments during a recent interview with GQ.

Despite being one of the most frequently suggested names to take over the role, Sir Idris said he was never seriously in the running, although he admitted he found the speculation flattering.

Speaking about Bond's future, he argued that the character was originally written a certain way for a reason and suggested that major changes to the character could divide audiences across different parts of the world.

He said: "Bond is big all over the world. And audiences won't all go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That's not what they like in their culture. Period."

The actor also warned against attempting to modernise the franchise purely to satisfy current social debates.

"Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let's not try and make it woke," he explained. "I think you've got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don't try to answer the world's taste. Just be Bond."

For years, fans have championed Sir Idris as a potential Bond successor, with many believing the Luther and The Wire star had the charisma, presence and action credentials needed to take on one of cinema's most iconic roles. However, he has repeatedly distanced himself from the conversation and previously stated that he was never actively pursuing the part.

Residents, do you agree with Idris? Should James Bond stay exactly as he is, or is there room for the character to evolve with the times? 👀🍿

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