In what may go down in Hollywood history as the most persistent casting rumors ever, new reports over the weekend suggested (once again) that Idris Elba was poised to play James Bond on the big screen. And, for a brief, shining moment early Sunday morning, a tweet from Elba made fans believe that 007 dreams could actually come true.
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Elba’s cryptic tweet was simply, “my name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”
my name’s Elba, Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/kEyyaVg8JX
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018
And, not surprisingly, fans were officially shook. Or, as it were, “shaken.”
Absolutely hope this is becoming a reality. Going to break records on box office. #Idrisalba
— Ebrahim Badsha (@Badshaass) August 12, 2018
— 17DISH (@17DISH) August 12, 2018
He better not be teasing us pic.twitter.com/BgVbjg9bAX
— Flaminia (@MFlaminiaLuck) August 12, 2018
Oh please God YESSSSS!!!
— LTCatsnstuff (@LTCatsnstuff) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/WinderAsInMere/status/1028622325195972609However, a subsequent tweet from Elba had fans — shall we say? — stirred. “Don’t believe the HYPE…” he wrote, which could suggest that we will not be seeing him fill out those Bond suits anytime soon (or possibly ever).
Don’t believe the HYPE…
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018
Many fans refused to accept such a grim prediction, though. Some pointed out that it’s about time the world got some good news for a change.
The world has gone to shit, we deserve something good.
— lena (@Noobzii) August 12, 2018
We need something as good and pure as Idris as Bond.
— Jenfys Nest (@ancientcityjenn) August 12, 2018
Others did what any good fandom would do and theorized the hell out of Elba’s tweet.
Are HYPE the criminal organisation you have to take down, 007?
— PsychoBeard (@RedBeardOfDoom) August 12, 2018
There was a loud explosion, as if the very fabric of London had been ripped into two. A pillar of fire shot up against the darkening sky, turning dusk to dawn. His eyes instantly watered, the fluid protesting against the smog. It was done. HYPE was in ashes. *cue 007 music*
— Ciku Muiruri (@MissCiku) August 12, 2018
Unfortunately, Dr. Osborn, a Machiavellian scientist (who previously worked for MI6), a nano-technology specialist, decided to join Hype in order to develop one of the weapons that will aim to overthrow the world order. … the CIA and the NSA have already paid the price …
— Simon BERNA (@SymonBee) August 12, 2018
One fan may have cracked this whole thing wide open, though. Moments before posting his “HYPE” tweet, Elba shared a seemingly random photo of hip-hop group Public Enemy. Given that context, one fan came up with an admittedly compelling theory.
This is a clear allusion to Public Enemy, and one line of the song goes, “Don’t believe the hype, it’s a sequel.” The next Bond movie is, of course, a sequel. Therefore we can conclude Elba is the next Bond.
Mystery solved through textual interpretation
— David Liss (@David_Liss) August 12, 2018
Since we’re just as thirsty to see Elba as Bond as the next fan, we’re inclined to buy into this theory 100 percent. Alas, Elba may just be having fun creating an air of mystery — which, c’mon, is just one more reason he’d make a perfect Bond.
More: Idris Elba Proposed to His Girlfriend in Such a Hollywood Way
But the latest rumor pegging Elba for the role came from a Daily Star report that claimed director Antoine Fuqua spoke with friend and producer Barbara Broccoli about the Bond franchise. In that conversation, Elba was reportedly referenced as their ideal Bond.
However, Fuqua’s rep denies any such conversation. “He never had a conversation with Barbara about the franchise or the casting. It’s all made-up stuff. Not sure how it got started,” the rep told The Hollywood Reporter.
Additionally, a source close to Elba’s team reportedly told THR that no one in his camp is aware of such a casting.
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