Since her brief (and stunning) cameo in “No Time To Die,” Ana de Armas has been candid about what she thinks about the “James Bond” franchise. For instance, last year, she told EW that she didn’t think the next James Bond should be a woman, but women need a “more substantial part and recognition” in the franchise. So, more women like her Paloma, perhaps?
READ MORE: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Reportedly Has Met With Bond Producers About 007 Role
And now de Armas knows who should play the next Bond. Total Film (via Wired) reports that the actress dropped her choice for the vacant role during a Wired Autocomplete Interview with Chris Evans for their upcoming film “Ghosted.” And her choice? Paul Mescal “should be the one,” de Armas said. That’s not a bad idea at all. The Irish actor has the heritage to pull off the part. And Mescal is one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars, thanks to recent roles like “Normal People,” “Aftersun,” and “God’s Creatures.” Mescal soon gets his first taste of blockbuster filmmaking, as he has the lead role in Ridley Scott‘s upcoming sequel “Gladiator 2.”
But a couple of issues with de Armas’ advocation for Mescal. For one, the actor already has an espionage project lined up. He’s attached to star in Kevin Macdonald‘s adaptation of the bestselling “Alec Milius” series, “A Spy By Nature.” Mescal plays a disillusioned man in his early twenties whose gifts for manipulation and deceit get him recruited by MI6. So, an all-around darker take on spycraft. Is that a little too similar to Mescal as Bond? Maybe, but there’s also little news about “A Spy By Nature” since last October.
Then there are the rumors that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the current top choice of Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson for the next 007. That matches Wilson’s comments that they want a “thirty-something” as the new Bond; Taylor-John is 32, while Mescal is only 27. But Broccoli has also stated they want an actor who will make a 10-12 year commitment to the franchise, and filming a new “Bond” feature is at least two years away. Plus, there’s not even a script for “Bond 26” yet, and Amazon‘s purchase of MGM (and by extension the “Bond” franchise) could have a major influence on the franchise’s future.
And expect plenty of other casting rumors before a formal announcement. Taron Egerton, Tom Hardy, Ralph Fiennes, and Henry Cavill are some British actors rumored for the role in the last year or two alone. So, it’s fun to speculate, and Mescal is a fine choice by de Armas, but there’s nothing concrete to go on right now. But imagine Mescal’s understated charisma in a black tuxedo, PP7 in hand. Not a bad idea at all, Ms. de Armas…