The Next James Bond Probably Won't Even Be White, According To A Film Executive
Idris Elba was in the running, but now he may be too old to fill the 007 shoes.
The name James Bond has been synonymous with international espionage and suave masculinity since Ian Fleming's character made his on-screen debut in 1962. Over nearly six decades, the iconic 007 has been portrayed by various actors, each bringing a unique flavor to the character, evolving him to reflect the changing societal expectations and movie-going preferences. The first actor to play Bond was the late Sir Sean Connery. With his masculine swagger and captivating charisma, Connery set the precedent for the character. His portrayal defined Bond as a sophisticated yet lethal agent with a taste for martinis and beautiful women. After Connery, there was George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and of course, Daniel Craig. Craig portrayed the super spy and breathed fresh life into the character with a darker, more emotionally complex portrayal.
His Bond is a rugged, raw, yet deeply human character, beginning with his debut in Casino Royale (2006). He reprised his role in Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time To Die (2021). Craig's era, spanning five films, has seen Bond transform into a vulnerable and nuanced character, dealing with personal loss and the moral complexities of his job. As we await the announcement of the next actor to fill 007's shoes, we can only speculate on the new dimensions they will bring to this timeless character. But apparently, we can expect that Bond is going to look quite different than what we're used to.
Next James Bond 007 Probably Won't Even Be White, According to a Film Executive
In a bold departure from tradition, an industry executive has hinted that the next actor to portray the iconic British secret agent James Bond won't be white. As speculation about the next 007 grows, insiders are divided about the casting specifics, including the actor's background, skin tone, acting experience, and accent.
This revelation comes two years after the release of No Time To Die, and with Bond stalwarts Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli yet to finalize the direction for the character, the clock is ticking. "The days of a white Bond are over," one television executive told GB News, using the recent inclusive casting in the Doctor Who series as an indicator of industry trends.
Although actors like Idris Elba have been suggested in the past, some insiders now believe he may be considered too old. Broccoli reportedly prefers the new Bond to be British, under 40, and around 5'10".
In contrast, another film and TV executive expressed surprise at the idea of a non-white Bond, suggesting that past experience would play a more crucial role in the selection process. This insider pointed out that Henry Cavill, despite being an excellent choice, might bring the baggage of his Superman role to the Bond franchise, potentially diluting the character's unique persona.
With Cavill recently turning 40 and being taller than the height suggested by Broccoli, the search continues. The executive suggests that the producers might lean toward an actor with a softer image, possibly someone from a mainstream British television show.
Actors fitting this profile include James Norton, 37, from McMafia and Happy Valley, and Richard Madden, 36, of Bodyguard and Game of Thrones fame. Norton's recent stage performance in the intense play A Little Life could serve as an intriguing audition for the Bond role.
Is it really too much to ask to keep some continuity with his persona?
Currently leading the pack, according to bookmakers, is Kick Ass and Bullet Train star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 32. Reports suggest that Taylor-Johnson has already filmed a teaser scene for the franchise, an indication that he may be closer to clinching the role. "Aaron has impressed bosses ... with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films," an insider told The Sun.
As the world waits with bated breath for the announcement of the next James Bond, insiders at Pinewood Studios are keeping their lips sealed. One jokingly told GB News, "Yep, it's Gino D'Acampo… No, I'm sorry, I can't say, it's all under wraps."
Bond fans might not even be surprised at the possibility of the next 007 being a minority, especially considering the rewriting in classic Hollywood TV shows and movies (and even historical characters) that has taken place in recent years. In an ever-changing world of entertainment, executives feel the need to keep up with the progressive agenda, which is fixated on all things intersectional woke. The inherent characteristics, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation that our society uses to place people in the camp of oppressor or oppressed are now being used to select certain actors for famous roles. Even Ana de Arms insisted that changing Bond to a female spy would be a silly move.
"There shouldn’t be any need to steal someone else’s character, you know, to take over," she said. “This is a novel, and it leads into this James Bond world and this fantasy of that universe where he’s at.”
James Bond is a fictional character, but he is still a longstanding Hollywood figure that has stood the test of time. Is it really too much to ask to keep some continuity with his persona? After all, it's not like you couldn't start a completely new action movie franchise of a spy who is a minority. Unfortunately, simply suggesting this will elicit cries of racism and bigotry, but it's merely common sense. James Bond has been loved in the film world for decades—it would be disappointing to see him change completely just to appease woke activists who demand that everything in the entertainment industry fit perfectly into their world of oppression.