Idris Elba in talks to play villain in next James Bond

He’s been flagged as a potential new 007, but Idris Elba is reportedly in talks to play a villain in the next James Bond movie.

Idris Elba is head of the Q to become the next James Bond villain.

The British actor, 49, has been in discussions about taking a role as a bad guy in the first movie since Daniel Craig, 53, quit after five outings, The Sun reports.

Elba had previously been tipped to play 007 himself, although last month he insisted: “I’m not going to be James Bond.”

But insiders say he is keen on taking another role in the hugely successful film franchise.

Idris Elba is reportedly in talks to play a Bond villain. Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI

A 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.”

Elba is currently shooting the feature-length film of his crime drama Luther in the UK.

Daniel Craig played Bond in five movies, finishing with No Time To Die. Credit: Nicola Dove/DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, 49, recently entered the race to play Bond, revealing he had a family connection the franchise as his grandfather was a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice with Sean Connery.

“I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond,” he told Esquire. “I don’t want to be a villain. Gotta be Bond.”

Other favourites are Peaky Blinders star Tom Hardy, 44, alongside Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page, 33, and Game of Thrones actor Tom Hopper, 36.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission