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Los Angeles - Kanye West has backed Idris Elba to be the next James Bond.
The 37-year-old rapper believes the Luther actor is a "visionary", and should definitely be offered the role as the iconic secret agent when current actor Daniel Craig steps down from the character.
He said: "I know Idris a little bit and he is a big talent.
"The movies he has been making are special, and when the role for James Bond comes up it needs to be his.
"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."
The Bound 2 rapper - who has 18-month-old daughter North West with his wife Kim Kardashian West - went on to say he feels the time is right to have a black actor portraying the character.
He explained to The Sun newspaper: "Artists should be visionaries. 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."
Rumours that the 42-year-old Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom actor was being lined up for the role emerged when Sony co-chairperson Amy Pascal was revealed to have said "Idris should be the next Bond" to the former executive vice-president of Bond distributor Columbia, in an email which has since been leaked.
Responding to the online stir the message has caused, Idris posted a goofy selfie on Twitter this past Saturday joking he is not attractive enough to play the British spy.
Isn't 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people. pic.twitter.com/3g9lAl2Uo3
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) December 27, 2014
