It’s unclear what the James Bond film franchise is going to look like after “No Time to Die.” We know Daniel Craig is departing the role, but we’re not sure if the series will have another soft reboot or if the version of the character created by Craig will continue on with another actor in the role. But if it’s up to actor Ben Whishaw, who plays Q in the most recent Bond iteration, the franchise would undergo a massive overhaul.
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In a recent interview with Variety, Ben Whishaw is asked what he thinks should happen with the James Bond franchise moving forward. The actor isn’t interested in seeing the status quo continue for another five or six films. Instead, Whishaw thinks now is the time to reinvent the character of 007 and move the franchise into a bold new direction.
“I don’t know what that should be, but it seems to me like it should be something quite radical, something really different,” said Whishaw. “It’s got to change; it’s got to keep changing. We’re in different times now.”
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He added, “There will always be people who want it to stick to the way it was whenever ago, and they’re important because they love these films. But I think you can do both. You can honor the character and the tradition, and you can push it forward, too. And I think you have to if it’s not just going to become a kind of museum piece.”
Obviously, the fastest way to revolutionize the Bond franchise comes with casting. Who the producers pick to replace Daniel Craig will really show just how willing everyone is to move the franchise forward. If they go with yet another dapper white British guy in the lead role, the status quo will likely only incrementally change and 007 will play it safe. But there’s the opportunity to take a big swing with casting, which could play into what Whishaw clearly hopes will happen.
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In the meantime, we can all celebrate the end of Daniel Craig’s great run as Bond in “No Time to Die,” which hits theaters on October 8.
