Rush Limbaugh Says Idris Elba Can't Play James Bond Because He's Black and Then Admits He's Racist

Actor's name has been tossed around as the next star of the franchise films

Daniel Craig may still be our James Bond, for now, but it looks like there are already a lot of opinions swirling over who should play the character next.

After emails were leaked between Sony execs eyeing Idris Elba for the film franchise, Rush Limbaugh offered his two (offensive) cents on the matter.

During his news program, the controversial commentator expressed his concern over the Avengers: Age of Ultron star stepping into the Bond role.

"James Bond is a total concept put together by Ian Fleming. He was white and Scottish. Period. That is who James Bond is," Limbaugh said.

"But 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."

And as if that wasn't bad enough…Limbaugh finished up his rant with an alarmingly self-aware thought.

"I know it's racist to probably point this out." 

Elba's spoken out about the rumors that he's on the short list to play Bond in the past.

During a Reddit AMA, when asked if he would take the role, he shared, "Yes, if it was offered to me, absolutely."

And in an interview with NPR, Elba opened up about the casting rumors and his concerns over how he'd be perceived.

"I just don't want to be called the first black James Bond. Do you understand what I'm saying? 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."