DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Actor Idris Elba says he’ll stick to being the tormented detective John Luther — not James Bond.

Talking Tuesday to the World Authorities Summit in Dubai, Elba introduced up the persistent discussions about him taking on as Ian Fleming’s famed British spy. These had grown louder after Daniel Craig’s demise as Bond within the twenty fifth movie within the franchise known as “No Time to Die.”

Requested about his upcoming movie primarily based on the British sequence “Luther,” Elba clearly took himself out of taking part in 007.

“It is very darkish,” Elba mentioned of the sequence. “We have been engaged on the tv present for about 10 years and so the pure ambition is to take it to the massive display, and so we’re right here with the primary film.”

He added: “, lots of people speak about one other character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B,’ however I am not going to be that man. I will be John Luther. That is who I’m.”

“Luther: The Fallen Solar” is because of come out in American theaters on Feb. 24, then stream on Netflix starting March 10. It additionally co-stars Andy Serkis and different actors from the tv sequence.

Elba, 50, is thought for quite a lot of tv and movie roles, starting from Stringer Bell on the American tv sequence “The Wire” and the latest film “Beast.”

Whereas on stage, Elba mentioned an upcoming movie he is engaged on with the American actor and wrestler John Cena known as “The Heads of State.”

“He performs the American president. I play the British prime minister,” Elba mentioned. “We get right into a caper. I am very enthusiastic about doing that as a result of management is available in many various kinds.”

In latest weeks, Elba has appeared on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, the place he and his spouse Sabrina Dhowre Elba obtained an award for his or her work on meals safety in Africa. Elba additionally has labored as an anti-crime ambassador together with his “Don’t Stab Your Future” initiative within the United Kingdom, the place he grew up in east London.

Throughout his discuss, Elba urged nations to take a position extra in artistic industries, saying it might probably present an financial engine that gives jobs to their youth. Particularly, he mentioned artistic jobs may enormously assist international locations in Africa.

“I imagine that Africa, particularly as a continent, wants to carry a story, change a story” he mentioned.

Discussing storytelling, Elba additionally praised Dubai for its “unbelievable tourism story” that it has developed over the past a long time. Town-state is seeing a brand new actual property growth, fueled partly by Russian money amid Moscow’s struggle on Ukraine.

“I believe Dubai ought to win an Oscar as a result of the (place) is unbelievable,” Elba mentioned to applause. “It is a very, excellent job and different international locations ought to take be aware.”

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Observe Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.