Idris Elba becomes first man to cover Maxim solo

Idris Elba recently became the first man to cover Maxim magazine solo.

The 42-year-old British actor appears on the publication's September cover alone, a landmark in the men's magazine's 20-year history. Men have previously covered issues alongside (usually scantily-clad) women.

"It's historical," the star said of the choice in a behind-the-scenes video. "It's fresh. It marks a sort of new way for the magazine to go." In the interview, Elba denied reports he will be the next actor to play James Bond.

"There was no one else in the world more badass than Idris," editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear explained to Racked. "For me, he really was the perfect embodiment of what I think the new Maxim man is. He's multi-dimensional, he's complex, he's sophisticated, but he's down to earth."