Speculation over the next actor to play James Bond has returned to Idris Elba, which begs the question: is he too old for the role? Considering the age at which previous actors first portrayed the fictional spy, Elba’s casting would be a unique instance. His age, however, would not be a total anomaly among the cohort of Bond actors, and it certainly shouldn’t exclude him from consideration for the role.

Elba has been linked with the Bond role for a long time, though he is no longer commonly regarded as the most likely successor to Daniel Craig. This is especially in the wake of assumptions that the Eon Productions franchise could follow the conclusion of No Time To Die in the form of another origin story, with Tom Holland a front-runner. Nevertheless, there is recent evidence to suggest Elba’s appointment to the role is still a firm possibility.

Related: James Bond 26 Needs An Unknown Actor For 007 After Daniel Craig

The casting decision for the next James Bond will ultimately come down to the type of project the franchise chooses to pursue. Elba is one of the names speculated that is most suited to maintaining the atmosphere of Craig’s films, but his involvement would likely require a return to the classic model of episodic Bond films. While Elba’s age is regarded as a factor that does not work in his favor, his suitability for the character could certainly force the producers of Bond 26 to consider the type of project that could see him cast.

Will Idris Elba Be James Bond?

Idris Elba in James Bond gun barrel sequence

The likelihood of Idris Elba being cast as James Bond remains somewhat uncertain. In an interview with Deadline’s Crew Call podcast, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli admitted Elba’s potential casting has been discussed. Broccoli did not say much to suggest how conversations about casting Elba have gone, and she emphasized her desire to keep the limelight on Craig until the dust from No Time To Die settles. But Elba, an internet favorite for the Bond role, is clearly an actor being considered by the franchise’s producers for the vacant role.

Elba himself has publicly denied that he will play the role, but he has still previously expressed interest in it. With Broccoli coy in her statement, and wishing to honor Craig’s tenure respectfully, the possibility remains that Elba could yet be given the keys to the Aston Martin DB5.

Is Idris Elba Too Old To Play 007?

Idris Elba Luther

The main factor against Elba’s suitability for the role of 007 is his age. Elba is currently 49 years old, and this would make him hold the record for the oldest portrayal of Bond in a debut film. The oldest Bond in a debut performance thus far is a 45-year-old Roger Moore in Live and Let Die. Fan-favorites Sean Connery and Daniel Craig were 32 and 38 in their respective debuts, Dr. No and Casino Royale. Elba is beyond the age that has been typically cast for the role of James Bond previously, but by no means too old to play it.

Related: No Time To Die Makes A 1960s Era Bond Movie More Likely

Elba could certainly have a small tenure as Bond without making the action of the films any less realistic. Though Connery’s final canonical performance as Bond came at the age of 41 in Diamonds Are Forever, Moore was 57 in his final performance as Bond in A View to a Kill. No Time To Die finished filming with Craig aged 51, while Pierce Brosnan notably made his final appearance in Die Another Day at 49, the age Elba is currently.

Modern Bond films are generally more gritty and violent than the classics, but Craig’s performance in No Time To Die is nonetheless one of the most memorable. Elba would surely be up to the physical demands of the role, and while he would be the oldest Bond debutant, he would not immediately hold the record for being the oldest on-screen Bond. While it would be unexpected for Elba to be cast for a series of movies, to deny Elba the opportunity to play Bond for one or two films, as George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton did, would be unjust (especially as Bond films often return to a retirement trope in their plot).

Why Idris Elba Would Be A Great James Bond

Idris Elba with gun

Idris Elba’s role as the eponymous detective in the crime drama series Luther is a key reason why he is regarded as a potential successor to Daniel Craig. DCI John Luther is a character whose pursuit of justice is complex and at times brutal. Elba has developed the role to great effect over the course of five seasons. His performance as Harp in Concrete Cowboy also exhibits an ability to portray the depth of emotionally suppressive characters in film format. Elba is an obvious choice for James Bond as he has already impressed in roles that capture the essence of the role, just as Craig did in Layer Cake. He can portray the tension between masculinity and vulnerability that has defined Craig’s era, and there is no doubt once he puts on a tuxedo, he can embody Bond’s suave and comical elements just as well.

Elba’s escapades in professional kickboxing even show suitability to the iconic secret agent beyond his acting portfolio, while certainly defying any suggestion that he is too old to play the role. There is also the case that he is a fan-favorite to play James Bond. While the obvious similarities between Bond and Luther make Elba a suitable candidate, his popularity as a choice is largely inspired by public demand. The adoration of Elba would make his casting a restorative act to follow the divisive method of No Time To Die’s conclusion, and ensure the franchise continues to suitably modernize the character of Bond.

Related: What James Bond 26 Needs To Keep From Daniel Craig’s 007 Era

James Bond & 007 Future (As We Know It)

James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger

Despite the conclusion of No Time To Die, it has been made clear that “James Bond will return.” This is intended to be understood literally: despite Bond’s death in No Time To Die, Bond 26 will be based on the Ian Fleming character, not an alternative agent with the 007 codename. It is also understood that Bond will continue to be portrayed as a male character despite the adoption of 007 identification by Nomi, effectively portrayed by Lashana Lynch, in No Time To Die.

While the basis for Bond 26 remains a mystery, it seems it won’t be too dissimilar from Bond films gone by. No Time To Die sees multiple important female roles seamlessly integrated into the plot in ways that greatly enhance its story. Through Nomi and Bond’s respective actions, the concepts of James Bond and 007 are presented as not mutually bound. This may be an idea that continues to be explored by future Bond films. However, in managing the problem created by Bond’s death in No Time To Die, Bond 26 is likely skeptical to follow any untraditional structure.

Bond films are often determined by the nature of the lead actor’s performance, so the official casting will be essential in determining the future of James Bond. Additionally, Bond films typically strive to be a product of their time: think of the franchise’s response to Star Wars in Moonraker, or its response to the tenacious grit of the Jason Bourne films throughout Craig’s era. Contemporary action films will play a part in the composition of Bond 26, but the rising popularity of John Wick films suggests there shouldn’t be too much deviation from the structure of recent Bond films.

One thing is certain: how Bond 26 will handle the fallout of Bond’s death, even in a completely detached storyline, will determine the future of the franchise. The opening scene of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the first Eon Productions film following Connery’s initial departure, introduces the title sequence with Lazenby’s Bond saying, “this never happened to the other fellow.” It is a self-referential moment, embodying the wit and sharpness of James Bond, and signaling that the franchise could sustain beyond Connery. Whether or not Bond 26 adopts an opening scene such as this, Idris Elba is certainly a popular choice to step into the gun barrel sequence.

Next: Ana De Armas' No Time To Die Role Shows What Bond's Future Should Be