Mission: replacement
James Bond has become a virtually infinite franchise – 59 years of existence and 25 deliveries to its credit – is largely due to the fact that it has never hesitated to replace its protagonist from time to time. A decision that has invariably facilitated the transition whenever it comes time to inherit the mantle. It is Daniel Craig’s turn to do the same and although we all knew that this moment would come since the actor debuted in Casino Royale (2006), the parting has turned unusually painful.
But also unusually long… And it is that Daniel Craig has speculated for so long about his retirement, that the debates around his possible successor have covered an endless list of names. Now that his departure is a reality, it is time to review some of the most famous names.
Those who have been playing for a long time are Tom Hiddlestone and Idris Elba. The former was reportedly scrapped in 2016 after a series of failed meetings with Eon Productions; the second is unlikely due to age – 49 years old by Craig’s 53 – and yet its popularity with fans has led to other non-Caucasian actors getting loud.
Such is the case of Daniel Kaluuya, who in addition to having wandered through titles as varied as “Black Mirror”, “Run away!” and “Black Panther” is backed by the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor won for “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Case similar to Dev patel, who has built one of the most fascinating trajectories in recent years, challenging all sorts of prejudices along the way with titles such as “Lion”, “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and “The Green Knight.” Less successful is the trajectory of Regé-Jean Page, which has not prevented him from becoming the object of desire of many franchises after his departure from “The Bridgerton.”
More conventional are the rumors that point to Tom hardy, one of the most popular actors of recent times, but who is still looking for the project that fully consolidates him. Richard Madden He’s been going strong for a long time, too, and he’s also gained additional momentum with his foray into Marvel for “Eternals,” a double-edged sword that could take him to the top, but could also prevent him from committing to other franchises. And finally Robert Pattinson, who left behind the stigmas of “Twilight” based on high-risk projects that led him to be considered one of the best actors of his generation. His choice to embody the new Batman is the best proof of this.
The Jane Bond dilemma
The evolution of Bond has been such that the race to be the new 007 now also has a female presence, Lashana Lynch being the natural candidate for the role she will play in No Time to Die, where she will even temporarily have the mythical number. Actresses like Kristen Stewart, Emilia Clarke and Cara Delevingne not only have they come out in favor of a female James Bond, but They have raised their hands for the post. Of course, with the agent renamed Jane Bond.
However, there are many who have been against the idea. Such is the case with Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz, who believe that women deserve their own stories and have no need to inherit men’s stories. Case similar to Halle berry and Eva green, Bond girls of yesteryear and that justify the male Bond because it is a classic character that was conceived by its author in this way. Lea Seydoux It complements by claiming that the inclusion of increasingly strong women in the franchise makes the gender change not even necessary.
Everything indicates that the option was definitively ruled out after the producer Barbara Broccoli assured The Guardian that James Bond “is a male character. He was written as a man and I think he will probably remain a man. And that’s okay. We don’t have to turn male characters into female characters. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters. “
More recently, Daniel Craig agreed and settled the debate by stating that “there just should be better roles for women and actors of color. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a role as good as James Bond, but for a woman? ”He reported Indiewir and.
The search for the new James Bond continues, but we still have one last mission. Let’s enjoy it, that No Time to Die is just another 007 movie, it’s the end of an era for one of the most successful franchises of all time.