James Bond: Idris Elba finally addresses latest rumours he’ll replace Daniel Craig

Director Antoine Fuqua was claimed to have told friends he had heard Barbara Broccoli, James Bond producer, say “it is time” for a black actor to be cast as 007.

This led to a frenzy with bookies, who hurriedly cut Elba down to the 2/1 favourite – surpassing long-time frontrunners Tom Hardy and James Norton.

Although Fuqua has since denied such a discussion with Broccoli ever took place, Elba remains the favourite today – and he’s finally addressed the hysteria on social media.

It seems to be all good fun, though: he posted a photo of himself with a cartoon-like filter, alongside the caption: “my name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”

It’s already picked up nearly 6,000 Retweets and 23,000 Likes in just three hours.

Fans rushed to try and decode the presumably harmless tweet, with even Sajeev Bhaskar writing: “Yeah I got your number mate.”

In reality, the next 007 is unlikely to be cast for at least a couple of years yet, with Daniel Craig still yet to even start filming his fifth and ostensibly final outing as the spy.

Yesterday it was reported that Broccoli and the film-makers are meeting with actors who could play the villain and the female lead.

Variety’s Justin Kroll tweeted: “Real BOND Update: Barbara Broccoli and EON currently meeting with actresses and actors for Bond Female lead and Villain for BOND 25, what they are not doing is thinking about who would replace Craig when Craig hasn’t even started filming this film yet.”

Bond 25 doesn’t have an official title yet,but is being targeted for release at the back end of 2019.

The @007 Twitter account posted in the spring: “We’ve been expecting you… #Bond25, Daniel Craig’s 5th outing as 007, will be directed by Academy Award-winning Danny Boyle from an original screenplay by John Hodge.

“Production is set to begin on 3 Dec 2018. MGM will partner with Universal Pictures to release the film worldwide.”

Lily James and Angelina Jolie have been rumoured for roles in the film, with Priyanka Chopra picking up huge support from fans online.

But she said on The Late Late Show last year: “I’ve always said I would prefer to play Bond.

“I think I hope, in my lifetime, I get to see such iconic parts be played by women in a genderless [way] — even if it’s not me.”

James Bond 25 is out in late 2019.