Kanye West: Idris Elba needs to be the next James Bond

Kanye West says when the role for James Bond comes up again, it needs to be given to Idris Elba.

Speaking to the Sun newspaper, the rapper says the Luther and Thor star would be perfect for the role.

"I know Idris a little bit and he is a big talent," he said.

"James Bond is a role made for British actors and you won't find a British actor who has the talent of Idris. To be honest you won't find many anywhere who have his talent."

A rumour that Idris Elba may take over from Daniel Craig, who is definitely involved in one more Bond movie, started after the leak of an email from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack.

It's reported that a message from chairman Amy Pascal to former executive vice-president of Bond distributor Columbia read: "Idris should be the next Bond."

Kanye West said he agrees with that and that it's time for a black Bond.

"Artists should be visionaries," he said. "A black James Bond would be visionary no doubt.

"Something that 30 years ago would have seemed crazy should now be something that is a real possibility."

Idris Elba had his say last week, although the 42-year-old has previously said he would like to play the character.

"Isn't 007 supposed to [be] handsome?" he tweeted. "Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people."

During a Reddit AMA in September he responded to a fan's question of whether he'd be willing to take the role, writing: "Yes, if it was offered to me, absolutely."

He also told NPR in 2011 that he'd definitely consider the role but doesn't want to be typecast.

"I just don't want to be the black James Bond," he said.

"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."

Daniel Craig started filming the latest Bond movie, Spectre, before Christmas.

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