We got our hopes up with so many others, thanks to that Esquire headline: "James Bond producers are reportedly leaning toward Idris Elba as the next 007."

Yes, please.

But like so much news, you have to read past the headlines.

Esquire's source was a report from The Independent, and The Independent's source was the U.K. tabloid The Daily Star. And in that original story, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli isn't even reported as referencing Idris Elba's name.

"The Equalizer 2" director Antoine Fuqua is the only one to bring up Idris Elba. Maybe Barbara Broccoli and the Bond producers are indeed leaning toward Idris Elba as the next James Bond, but that's not actually what she's reported as saying in the Daily Star tabloid story.

Start with Esquire. Here's their Elba section:

Now, new reports indicate that James Bond producers are starting to lean toward the idea of Elba taking the role. As the Independent reports:

"Director Antoine Fuqua revealed the details of a conversation with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, in which she said "it is time" for a non-white actor to take on the iconic role. Fuqua discussed who might be next in the running with Broccoli, who's certain the progressive move "will happen eventually", with Idris Elba a reported frontrunner for the role."

Now head to The Independent, which ran the headline "James Bond boss says 'door open' to black 007 with Idris Elba hinted as frontrunner."

Here's that section of their story:

Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has reportedly announced that the door is open for a black 007 in the future, once Daniel Craig completes his final outing as the spy.

The Daily Star reports that director Antoine Fuqua revealed the details of a conversation with Broccoli, in which she said "it is time" for a non-white actor to take on the iconic role.

Fuqua discussed who might be next in the running with Broccoli, who's certain the progressive move "will happen eventually", with Idris Elba a reported frontrunner for the role.

Indeed, the director seemed to hint that the actor is currently being eyed as a strong candidate, adding: "Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

Now head to Daily Star, which ran the headline "Idris Elba the next 007? Movie boss says ‘door open for first black James Bond'":

MOVIE boss Barbara Broccoli has left the door open for Luther star Idris Elba to be the first black Bond.

The Hollywood chief, 58, told an industry pal “it is time” for the famous spy to be played by a black actor.

Director Antoine Fuqua chatted to Barbara about who will take over from Daniel Craig, 50, if he hangs up his gun after the next Bond film, due next year.

Idris, 45, is in the running to take on the coveted role.

Antoine, 52, revealed Barbara feels “it is time” for an ethnic minority actor to star as 007 and she is certain “it will happen eventually”.

He added: “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

Did Barbara Broccoli herself bring up Idris Elba and say he was in the running, or that they were leaning toward him? 'Cause this sounds like she was talking to director Antoine Fuqua about Bond and said platitudes like "It is time" and "It will happen eventually" -- eventually -- and he told the Daily Star, adding Idris Elba's name as a possible Bond, and that became Producers Leaning Toward Bond.

Listen, not trying to be Debbie Downer, but point out where this is anything beyond new hype for the same old rumor?

Since the Esquire story took off, maybe this will push the Bond producers to go for Idris Elba since there was strong interest from social media.

Idris Elba himself said last year that he probably won't be Bond. In 2016 he told GMA he thought he might be too old for the role. (He's currently 45.) But we are in an age where guys in their 50s -- Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr. -- are doing stunts and superhero stuff.

He added to GMA, of his Bond chances:

"I keep saying if it were to happen it would be the will of a nation, because there hasn't been any talks between me and the studio about any of that. But everywhere I go people want that to happen."

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