Idris Elba is reportedly in talks to star in the next James Bond film but not as James Bond. He would play the villain of the film.

It was previously rumoured by the media that Idris Elba would take on the role of James Bond following Daniel Craig's recent departure from the franchise in the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die. At a premiere for his latest film for Netflix, The Harder They Fall, Elba told ITV London: "No, I'm not going to be James Bond."

Instead of taking on the role of 007, it has been reported that Elba is in discussions about playing the next James Bond villain. The source said: "Idris has had informal talks with the studio and he has been told there is a role in the next Bond film for him, if he wants it. He won't be the title character, but they do recognise the amount of pull and respect he commands, and they want to work with him on a completely original character for the next instalment. It is still very early days for the conversations but, so far, it looks like it would be the role of a villain."

Last week, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stated that he was keen to take on the role of James Bond for the next film. He said: "Yes, my grandfather was a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice with Sean Connery. Very, very cool. I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond. I don't want to be a villain. Gotta be Bond."