Daniel Craig only just wrapped up his time as suave super-spy James Bond last year in Cary Fukanaga‘s “No Time To Die,” but fans of the franchise already want to know who will replace him. As of right now, the short answer to that question is: no one knows, but it’s not Idris Elba. But Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson recently provided an update about what they’re looking for: a 10-12 year commitment to the role.
In a recent interview with Variety, Broccoli and Wilson clarified what they’re looking for in the “early days” of their search for the next Bond. “The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off,” Broccoli said. “And when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-, 12-year commitment. So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].” At which point, Wilson chimed in: “And he was in his early 30s at the time!”
But what exactly do Broccoli and Wilson look for in the ideal Bond candidate? Ideally, it’s someone who recreates the character anew but also understands the rigors of committing to the role. “That’s why, when people go, ‘Oh, who are you going to get?’ it’s not just about casting an actor for a film,” Broccoli continued. “It’s about a reinvention, and ‘Where are we taking it? What do we want to do with the character?’ And then, once we figure that out, who’s the right person for that particular reinvention?”
Broccoli then talked about Craig’s tenure. “With [Craig], when we had the conversation at this very table about, you know, [whether he was] going to do it, he said, ‘Well, I’m going to do it. I really want to be a part of it, the whole thing.’ And he lived to regret that,” Broccoli laughed. “But it’s a big commitment. It’s not just showing up for a couple of months of filming.” She then referenced Pierce Brosnan‘s infamous quote about donning the spy tuxedo: “More people have walked on the moon than have played James Bond.” That’s very true, so whoever becomes him next must be pretty special.
It’s also too early for Broccoli and Wilson to know what the next Bond films will be like, either. “It’s an evolution,” Broccoli said. “Bond is evolving just as men are evolving. I don’t know who’s evolving at a faster pace.” She also added that Craig’s time as the character “cracked Bond open emotionally. The films over his tenure were the first time we really connected the emotional arc.” So, perhaps whoever plays Bond next will bit more like Sean Connery, a debonair and unsentimental killer? Or maybe Timothy Dalton‘s muted performance? Both of those, and especially Roger Moore‘s Bond persona, are difficult to see working in the mid-late 2020s era.
Of course, there’s also Amazon‘s purchase of MGM to think about. Bond is now partially owned by Amazon, and they will have major input on where the character goes next. A spy-adventure reality show is already on the way to Amazon Prime Video called “007’s Road To A Million,” which involves participants racing around the world Bond-style for a cash prize. Broccoli and Wilson are high on the show. “Audiences will get a big kick out of it, and that’s why we agreed to do it,” Broccoli said. “I mean, it surprised us as well as everybody else. Like, wow, we’re gonna do this.” But is that really the direction fans want the Bond character go moving forward? Don’t worry too much, as Broccoli insists Bond will stay a theatrical character. “Well, we’re gonna keep it theatrical,” she said.” We’re not going to try; we’ve got to do it. It’s just a theatrical franchise.”
So, it’s not much of an update on potential future Bond actors, but it’s clear Broccoli and Wilson know what they want out of the next Bond. It’ll be someone up to a decade-plus commitment to the part, playing an iteration of the spy that works in the present cultural climate, and doing it on the big screen, nowhere else. And, once again, no, it will not be Idris Elba.