James Bond producer says next 007 “will be a British man of any ethnicity”
Daniel Craig bowed out as Bond in this year's 'No Time To Die'
By Tom Skinner
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has said that the next incarnation of 007 “will be a British man of any ethnicity”.
Daniel Craig bowed out as Bond in this year’s ‘No Time To Die’, having previously portrayed the iconic spy in ‘Casino Royale’ (2006), ‘Quantum Of Solace’ (2008), ‘Skyfall’ (2012) and ‘Spectre’ (2015).
Speculation surrounding Craig’s replacement has been rife, with some suggesting that the next 007 should be a woman. Another popular name was Idris Elbra, who would become the first Black actor to take on the role.
Elba, however, recently took himself out of the running. “No, I’m not going to be James Bond,” he revealed, before responding enthusiastically to the idea of a non-white 007. “It’s a sign of the times when we can stop talking about black, white, and colour,” he said.
After MGM boss Pamela Abdy said last month that the casting of the role remains “wide open”, Broccoli has given another update on the process in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“I think it will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she told the outlet.
“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].”
Broccoli’s comments echo those of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who worked as part of the writing team on ‘No Time To Die’.
“I think Bond is James Bond,” Waller-Bridge said after being asked whether there could be a female 007, adding: “We just need to cook up someone to rival him.”
Previously, Daniel Craig reasoned that “there should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour” instead. “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?” he said.
Other names to have been linked to the role of James Bond include Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Regé-Jean Page, James Norton and Richard Madden.