Actor Sir Idris Elba has warned James Bond producers not to make the movies “woke”, saying some audiences would accept a black 007.

Elba, who was knighted by the King earlier in June, has previously denied being in the hotly contested race to play the British super spy, despite years of rumours.

He has told GQ he was flattered by the suggestion he might be cast as Bond but said the character “was written how he was written for a reason”.

“In realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that,” Elba said. “Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.

“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try to answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”

Other possible contenders to replace Daniel Craig as Bond include Callum Turner – who last week married Dua Lipa – Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Just over a fortnight ago, Australia’s own Jacob Elordi was said to have also firmed as a front-runner.

Variety reported at the weekend that auditions for Bond have begun recent weeks as the search for the next 007 officially gets under way after years of anticipation and speculation.

“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” Amazon said.

It’s been five years since the release of No Time To Die, Craig’s final film as the famous spy.

The studio has already confirmed that the next Bond movie will be directed by Dune’s Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Elba, meanwhile, is currently starring in Masters of the Universe as Man-at-Arms. He joked with GQ about the fact his latest character – a 1980s cartoon character with a ginger moustache – looked nothing like him.

“Talk about recasting,” he said. “I was a bit conscious about it. But then I was like, ‘What are you talking about?! Man-At-Arms could be any colour! He’s got green legs, for God’s sake!’.”

Elba honoured

Elba received his knighthood in Britain’s New Year Honours for services to young people.

He joined ice skating champions Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean and dozens of others at Windsor Castle earlier this month to receive the honours from the King.

Elba founded his Elba Hope Foundation in 2022. It supports community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.

He used a grant from the Prince’s Trust – now the King’s Trust – to attend the National Youth Music Theatre aged 18.

Last year it was announced Elba would join the King to create a documentary marking 50 years since the then Prince of Wales founded the charity. The show will air on Netflix later this year.

-with AAP