Despite being decades old, the James Bond franchise continues to be a big part of the cultural landscape. With his last film no time to die with Daniel Craig’s departure from the franchise, the role is now up for grabs.
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Daniel Craig played the role of 007 for 5 films, starting with Casino Royale in 2006. Although many fans had reservations about the cast, upon premiering the film was well received by critics and audiences, with Roger Ebert calling Daniel Craig a “Superb leap”.
Which actor will take over the role next?
Henry Cavill, who is said to be in every franchise imaginable, is also the top contender to play 007, according to betting site Ladbrokes. The actor has hinted that he’s interested in playing the role on several occasions, including for The Hollywood Reporter. He said:
“I think it would be very exciting to have a conversation with the producers.”
Read also : Why Henry Cavill is too old to play James Bond
Another actor who has become a fan favorite for the role is Idris Elba. The actor is already part of the detective genre with Luthor and can hold his own in action scenes, as seen in The Suicide Squad.
What are the producers saying?
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have a gargantuan task ahead of them, as James Bond films are no one-size-fits-all affair. Daniel Craig’s final iteration as 007 had been around for 16 years. Speaking to Variety, the producers discussed the issue of long-term commitment and Idris Elba’s involvement:
“The thing is, it’s going to take a few years… And when you start Bond, it’s a 10, 12 year commitment. So he is[Idris Elba] probably thinking, ‘Do I really want this thing? Not everyone wants to do that. It was quite difficult to get [Daniel Craig to do it].”
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They also pointed to another important point of reinvention during the interview, like you’re not casting an actor, you’re giving the role to someone who’s making a mark on the franchise. So they’re probably looking to do something different, they added:
“That’s why when people say, ‘Oh, who are you going to get?’ it’s not just about casting an actor for a movie. It’s about reimagining, and ‘Where do we take him? What do we want to do with the character?’… And then, a Once we figure that out, who is the right person for this particular reinvention?’
Check: MGM is rumored to be looking for a person of color as New James Bond, Henry Cavill and Tom Holland seem out of the running
Given its focus on reinvention and how the character evolves over time, we might finally have a person of color like James Bond. Rege-Jean Page and Idris Elba are both top contenders to play the character.
Source: Variety
