Idris Elba appears to have given a definitive answer to the long-standing rumor that he could be the next James Bond.

The English actor has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Daniel Craig as 007 for years with Tom Hardy, Aaron Taylor Johnson also among the contenders for the role.

Daniel Craig last appeared as Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die, and his replacement has yet to be announced.

From Dubai, where he participated in the annual World Government Summit event, Idris Elba appeared to put an end to the rumours.

The actor referenced James Bond when asked about the upcoming film, a sequel to the BBC series ‘Luther’ in which he plays psychologically tortured policeman John Luther. “You know, a lot of people are talking about another character whose name starts with a ‘J’ and ends with a ‘B’, but I’m not going to be that guy. I will be John Luther. That’s who I am,” he clarified.

While Elba still ranks as the bookies’ favourite, fans have theorized that at 50, the actor may be too old for the role.