After several reports claimed that actor Idris Elba will be taking on the role of James Bond in the upcoming franchise installment entitled 'Spectre', the British actor responded by laughing off the rumors. One of the most adored faces in the movie industry, Elba, even jokingly questioned if he is handsome enough for the role.

"Isn't 007 supposed to handsome?" Elba wrote on his Twitter account captioning a photo of himself in his car with a scruffy beard and a beanie, "Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people," he added.

The rumors sparked up when fans started suggesting that the next 007 film should star Elba instead of Daniel Craig although Craig is reportedly still signed on for the role. After that, a report from The Daily Beast claimed that Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal allegedly suggested that "Idris should be the next bond."

Her message allegedly stems from an email she sent to the distributor of the James Bond franchise.

However, it seems that Elba will not be taking on the role as he has personally denied the rumors. Besides that, some have stated that they are against Elba taking on the role. One statement by Rush Limbaugh pointed out that Elba wouldn't want to be known as the black James Bond.

"Now [they are] suggesting that the next James Bond should be Idris Elba, a black Briton, rather than a white from Scotland. But that's not who James Bond is," Limbaugh said, "I know it's racist to probably point this out."

Previously, when Elba was interviewed during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), the actor said he would play the role if he had the chance.

"Yes, if it was offered to be, absolutely," he said and added, "I just don't want to be called the first black James Bond. Do you understand what I'm saying?" he shared.

"Sean Connery wasn't the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn't the blue-eyed James Bond. So if I played him, I don't want to be called the black James Bond," he wrote.