Idris Elba to star in Star Trek 3 in 'kick arse role', says Simon Pegg

Elba will play a new character in Star Trek's 'massive universe'

British actor Idris Elba is also a DJ and rapper who played Ibiza last summer (Getty Images)

Idris Elba can put his James Bond plans on hold for now.

While the Luther actor is reportedly in the running to play the famous secret agent, he has an even better role to look forward to.

Star Trek 3 co-writer Simon Pegg has confirmed he has given Elba a “kick arse” part in the upcoming sequel.

The actor and writer said Elba will play a new character in the third movie, adding that he and his team were still fleshing out the role.

“Idris is an extraordinary actor and we’re trying to write him a kick arse role,” Pegg said.

“This is the five year mission, we’re out there. We don’t need to keep bumping into the same five people. It’s a massive universe!” he told MTV.

Asked if Elba would definitely be starring in the film, he said: “As far as I know, that’s happening. Idris Elba is an extraordinary actor, and we’re trying to write him a kick arse roll.”

Elba will return to TV as DCI John Luther in the popular BBC drama later this year.

The 42-year-old has been rumoured to be in talks to star as the next James Bond following Daniel Craig’s departure, but nothing has been confirmed by the franchise’s producers.

Should he be given the role, Elba would become the first black James Bond – but speculation about his potential casting has provoked a backlash.

Former Bond villain Yaphet Kotto, who is a black actor, has said the iconic character should always be played by a white man.

“[Bond] cannot be black,” he told Big Issue. “James Bond was established by Ian Fleming as a white character, played by white actors. Play 003 or 006 but you cannot be 007,” he told The Big Issue.

Roger Moore said last month that James Bond should always be “English-English”.

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