For over fifty years, James Bond has been a white dude, and across those decades, the franchise has been successful, even if somewhat creatively rigid. The current films led by Daniel Craig have brought a more contemporary, serious feeling with added grit and drama, to mixed results (“Casino Royale” and “Skyfall” yay, ” “Quantum Of Solace” and “Spectre” nay). But one thing that has never changed are fans drawing up their own wishlist of who should get that license to kill. Well, you might need to reconfigure those dreams.
Even though we don’t know who is directing the next Bond movie, due in 2019, and supposedly Craig’s time out as the secret agent, the Daily Mail has gone ahead and asked producer Barbara Broccoli if a woman or person of color could eventually take on the iconic role.
“These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit,” she said. “Anything is possible. Right now it’s Daniel Craig, and I’m very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?”
Childhood ruined! Legacies destroyed! Sorry, just getting ahead of those who will inevitably complain that something that has been the same for over half a century gets changed. So, maybe stop dreaming about Tom Hardy as 007, but continue praying for Idris Elba? Or whatever. More than likely the next Bond will be neither of those dudes, but let’s be honest, it’s way too early to start talking about that.
The next Bond opens on November 8, 2019.