The hunt for the next James Bond is seemingly underway. With “No Time to Die” released all over the world and the days of Daniel Craig’s 007 done as a result, it’s time for producer Barbara Broccoli to begin her search for the next actor to take on the role. And while she’s willing to venture off the white male actor path to find her next star, Broccoli once again affirms that there won’t be a female Bond coming our way.
Speaking to THR, Barbara Broccoli talked about the success of the James Bond film franchise, which has spanned 25 installments, and how the character has been constantly reinvented with each new actor taking on the 007 role. And with a new actor expected to star in the next ‘Bond’ film, the franchise is primed and ready for yet another new take.
“I think one of the successes of Bond is that it hasn’t been afraid to change with the times,” Broccoli explained. “Sometimes it got a little stuck in the time, but the books were written in the ’50s, the films started in ’60s. I mean, the world has changed dramatically since then. We’ve just had to constantly reinvent him, and we’ve had the opportunity with each new actor to recalibrate the series.”
But that recalibration will not be too drastic. Broccoli went on to explain that the character does have some requirements.
“I think it will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she said. “I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles. I don’t think there are enough great roles for women, and it’s very important to me that we make movies for women about women. He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race].”
So, if you’re one of those people hoping Idris Elba is getting the role, he does qualify. But for Dwayne Johnson or Ryan Reynolds? Sorry, guys, you are out of the running.
Also out of the running for starring roles in feature films are the supporting Bond characters, such as M and Q. Broccoli admits there is a desire from fans to see more of them but she thinks a ‘Bond’ film without 007 is a silly idea.
“Sure, there are other main characters like M and Q and all that,” said Broccoli. “But we haven’t really wanted to make a ‘Bond’ film without Bond. It would be like making ‘Hamlet’ without Hamlet.”
And those wondering if we’ll see Cary Fukunaga, the filmmaker behind “No Time to Die” return for the 26th ‘Bond’ film, the answer is up in the air. But Broccoli sure would like to work with him again at some point.
“I don’t have any idea whether he’d do another one,” she said. “I think he did this because he wanted a challenge, and he sure pulled it off. But I’m not sure if he’d do another one. We’d love to work with him again.”
If you’d rather see Daniel Craig’s swan song as 007 instead of speculating about the future, “No Time to Die” is on PVOD now.
