Riz Ahmed ‘Walks Out’ of Interview Over Jacob Elordi

In a hilarious viral moment from late January 2026, Riz Ahmed proved his comedic timing is just as sharp as his dramatic acting. During a joint interview with his Bait co-star Guz Kahn, the Oscar winner jokingly "stormed off" the set after being told that Australian actor Jacob Elordi was currently the frontrunner to play the next James Bond.

The quip that triggered the exit? "I don’t mind who plays Bond as long as it is me."

The Context: A "Scarily Real" Meta-Audition

The playful drama took place during a press junket for Ahmed’s new Prime Video series, Bait, which is set to premiere on March 25, 2026.

In a classic case of life imitating art, Bait follows a struggling British actor named Shah Latif (played by Ahmed) whose world is turned upside down when a video of his "DIY" James Bond audition goes viral. The show explores the chaos of the "Bond Rumor Mill"—making Ahmed’s real-world interview the perfect meta-commentary on the series.

• The Audition: Ahmed joked that the entire six-part series is essentially his own audition for the 007 role. "Daniel Craig’s audition was Layer Cake," he noted. "This is mine."

• The "Jacob Elordi" Trigger: When the interviewer brought up the "scarily real" reports that Jacob Elordi (fresh off an Oscar nomination for Frankenstein) had met with director Denis Villeneuve about the role, Guz Kahn leaned in: "I'm convinced it's absolutely not you. It's likely Jacob Elordi."

• The Exit: Without a word, Ahmed stood up and walked out of the frame, leaving Kahn to laughingly tell the cameras, "He's actually gone!" (He returned moments later to finish the interview).

Jacob Elordi: The 2026 Bond Frontrunner?

While Ahmed’s walkout was for laughs, the rumors surrounding Jacob Elordi have become the biggest story in Hollywood this February.

• The Meetings: Reports from Variety and Dark Horizons suggest Elordi has indeed met with Amazon MGM and Denis Villeneuve (who is rumored to be directing the reboot).

• The Age Factor: At 28, Elordi fits the reported studio profile for a "younger, origin-story Bond."

• The Height Debate: Fans are currently divided over Elordi's 6'5" frame, with many jokingly pointing out that a spy that tall might find it difficult to "blend into a crowd."

Why 'Bait' is the Show to Watch

Despite the Bond banter, Ahmed was quick to point out that Bait is about more than just a tuxedo.

"Bond in our show is a symbol of the 'ultra-alpha' that the character thinks he needs to be to matter," Ahmed explained. "It’s really about the pressure of modern masculinity and the madness of the internet's 'casting' culture."

The series features a high-profile British cast and even received a playful "nod of approval" from former Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who reportedly found the premise of a "viral Bond audition" brilliantly contemporary.

What’s Next for Riz Ahmed?

Beyond the release of Bait in March, Ahmed is staying busy in 2026:

• Awards Season: He remains a fixture on the circuit following his recent producer credits.

• Music: Rumors are swirling of a new Swet Shop Boys project later this summer.

• Directing: He is currently in pre-production for his next directorial effort, a "genre-bending" thriller set in London.

Whether he actually gets the keys to the Aston Martin or not, Riz Ahmed has successfully made himself the center of the 007 conversation—all while making us laugh in the process.

Source - https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/riz-ahmed-james-bond-jacob-elordi-007-casting-1236639246/

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