James Bond new favourite Idris Elba lands huge role amid Daniel Craig replacement rumours

Amidst all the chatter about the new 007 frontrunner potentially being chosen to replace Daniel Craig, there’s the risk of missing another exciting career development for the 45-year-old.

While nothing has yet been announced about the next James Bond – and likely won’t be for a very long time yet – Elba HAS secured a role in Ghetto Cowboy, which he is also producing.

It’s an adaptation of Greg Neri’s award-winning novel, following the story of a 15-year-old who is forced to live with his estranged father (played by Elba) in a poverty-stricken part of North Philadelphia.

There, he falls in love with horse-riding.

It’s not quite the same as getting a briefing from M and taking specifically-made Martinis, but it’s still bound to be an intriguing project.

Elba said: “Ricky [Staub] and Dan’s [Walser] brilliant script combines the energy and grit of an urban movie with the poetry and romance of the urban cowboy way of life.”

Staub is also slated to direct, and told Variety: “This story was built out of a deep friendship and collaboration with the riders of North Philly, and I couldn’t be more excited to honour their legacy with this film.”

It’s not the only exciting thing Elba has coming up, of course: he’s also due to start work on the Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs And Shaw in the role of the villain.

As of today, he is the bookies’ favourite to play James Bond – surpassing long-time favourites James Norton and Tom Hardy.

It all boils down to a comment director Antoine Fuqua made in an interview with the Daily Star; claiming to have heard Barbara Broccoli say “it is time”  for a black actor to be cast as the iconic spy.

“Idris could do it if he was in shape,” Fuqua added.

“You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

Craig had implied when he confirmed his involvement last year that the 25th film in the long-running series would be his last.

Speaking on US TV after speculation that he wouldn’t even do one more movie, he clarified: “I always wanted to [return], I needed a break.

“I just want to go out on a high note, and I can’t wait.”

James Bond 25 is out in late 2019.