Tom Hanks Tells BBC That Idris Elba Needs to Be the Next James Bond

In a recent interview with BBC News (via Deadline), Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks was discussing his new book, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, and the subject of James Bond came up. Hanks made it clear that the next James Bond should be Luther actor Idris Elba.

“Understand this,” he told the outlet, “James Bond has a license to kill. I would issue that license to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.”

Elba has long been the subject of speculation linking him to Ian Fleming’s iconic character. But he’s also continued to deny any truth to the chatter. His latest film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, released earlier this year and included a scene in which his titular detective refuses a martini. At the time, he told the Radio Times, “My Bond audition? Oh my God, no! I’ve been saying for years, no… The martini line is a bit cheeky, isn’t it?”

Elba also told The Guardian around the Luther release that he remains extremely close to Bond’s producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, but dismissed the idea of them ever offering him the role: “I can’t speak for them, but from my perspective, there’s never been any sort of truth to any of it. It’s a compliment and it’s an honor, but it’s not a truth.”

I think Elba makes the absolute most sense of anyone in Hollywood right now to take over the role of 007. I’d love to se him in the part, but I’d also love to see him continue to play Luther, so whatever keeps him on the screen telling more stories is good with me.

What do you think of Elba as a possible new James Bond?