And now, Idris Elba has responded to reports that a James Bond producer has tipped him to be 007, posting a cryptic tweet.

Elba has been linked to the Bond franchise for years, although he has previously said that he thought he might be too old.

The actor posted a filtered selfie - only featuring the top part of his face - with the words "my name's Elba, Idris Elba".

Speculation that Elba could be cast as the iconic spy went into overdrive in recent days following a report in The Daily Star that quoted Bond producer Barbara Broccoli as saying "it is time" for a black actor to take over the role.

Elba's name has now been linked to the Bond franchise for nearly a decade, during which time Daniel Craig has starred in three films in the series.

It's magic! Santi Cazorla appears!
The magnificent unveiling of the 33-year-old drew raucous cheers and applause from the hundreds of Villarreal fans inside the stadium.

A few hours later, however, he posted an image of the rap group Public Enemy and followed it up with the titular lyric from one of their most famous songs, "Don't Believe The Hype".

Fuqua's representatives refuted the story, however, stating that no such conversation ever took place.

The online version of the Daily Star's story includes multiple promotions for Fuqua's new business, selling headphones that can be worn in the cinema in order to provide a surround-sound experience.

In 2014, Elba said of the potential role that it would be "an honor".

Craig will return for the fifth time as Bond in 2019, in an as yet unnamed movie directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle.