‘Who should be the next 007?’: Why James Bond traditionalists need to get over themselves

• Casting director Nina Gold recently stated in the press that she will be working closely with the franchise’s next director, Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve, of course, is no stranger himself to franchises; his final installment of the Dune trilogy will be released this December. Despite months of media speculation, the only meaningful update we have so far is that Gold and Villeneuve are looking for an actor young enough to commit to multiple films and hot enough to be a new movie star. Yes, in an interview with Deadline, Gold specifically stated that the actor needed to “ooze s*x appeal.” 

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  via Variety / FilmUpdates

• At this point, there are more questions than answers regarding who will ultimately be cast. That’s because there is more discourse based on speculation than valid debate based on facts. Still, the idea behind who should become the next James Bond reflects the tension between tradition and change in the eyes of executives, artists, and audiences. On the one hand, many Bond obsessives want to uphold the ideals of the original character created by Ian Fleming. However, on the other hand, some filmgoers want to see things shaken up a bit in order to give a legitimate reason for the continuation of a film franchise that began over 60 years ago. 

  Here is a question for the Bond traditionalists out there: While a sense of protectiveness over such a beloved character is understandable, have you ever considered the fact that the rules of the film franchise make no sense? James Bond is an inexplicably ageless character who has been played by seven different actors on film. Furthermore, aside from the Daniel Craig films, Bond seems to enter each new mission having completely forgotten the events, villains, and lovers from the prior mission. As far as I’m concerned, the rules of this world are undefined and unrealistic, so why do we have to be so particular about who can or cannot inhabit it?

• Who Do People Think Will Be the Next Bond?

  The topic of who shall be the next Bond is so popular and contentious that there was even a recent parody series starring Riz Ahmed about a British-Pakistani actor who faces media scrutiny after auditioning for the role. It would, of course, be amusing if Ahmed actually ended up playing Bond after satirizing the franchise’s casting process.

  
   

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  via @screenrant

• Once upon a time, Idris Elba and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were notably interested in playing the part, but now that time has passed, it seems that their chances are slim. Some Bond loyalists may even feel that those actors are too established. After all, Daniel Craig was not widely known to the public when he was initially cast as Bond in 2005. Taylor-Johnson remains a possibility. As for Elba, however, he has likely aged out of the role entirely. 

  Fans have also debated whether or not James Bond should be the protagonist of the next film at all, claiming that an original female protagonist could breathe new life into Bond lore. Indeed, the last film, No Time to D*e, set up this very possibility. In a subplot largely written by Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge (of Fleabag fame), actress Lashana Lynch played the first Black female 007. 

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  via @Variety

• However, Lynch was still ultimately playing second fiddle to Daniel Craig in the film, and there has been zero confirmation from the producers as to whether or not this storyline will continue. Given that No Time to D*e was released six years ago, the likelihood of Lynch’s character returning to the franchise is slim to none.

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  via @Kalshi_Film

• In the years since, a number of high-profile actors have been rumored to be in the conversation. Euphoria star turned Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi has been heavily discussed online, but will it be a problem in the eyes of Bond producers that the actor is Australian? Historically, agent 007 has always been portrayed by a Brit. Does that mean that heartthrob Callum Turner has a shot? There was also a widely circulated report that Broadway breakout star Tom Francis recently auditioned for the role. Will Bond fanatics embrace a musical theater actor as the cinematic representation of traditional masculinity? Only time will tell if there is any merit to these rumors.

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  via @Kalshi_Film

• What Should or Shouldn't Be Taken into Consideration?

  Each of these aforementioned actors has pros and cons in terms of their so-called “suitability” for the role of James Bond. Clearly, the character has become so idealized that no matter who is cast, there will inevitably be detractors. Given these circumstances, producers should focus on what’s really important, and that has nothing to do with the age, gender, or nationality of the performer.

  
   

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  via @Variety

• What Denis Villeneuve, Nina Gold, and the powers that be should instead be prioritizing is talent and broad appeal. Following Daniel Craig’s reign, the Bond intellectual property was acquired by Amazon in a controversial deal that has made fans question the future stability of the franchise as a whole. The best way to reassure audiences is to find a compelling presence with genuine acting chops. People were unsure of Craig’s suitability at the time of his casting, but he ended up becoming undeniable in the role because of his on-screen charisma. 

  If the rumors are, in fact, true, Tom Francis could be a fascinating choice and not because he’s a British actor but because he’s a genuine talent. Bond traditionalists who have a problem with Francis (or any of these contenders) will have to get over themselves, just like they had to get over their issues with Daniel Craig two decades ago. If they truly love the franchise, they’ll show up anyway.

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