It has almost become a real sport: guessing who will be the next James Bond. Since 2018, there has been plenty of speculation about which actor will be the next 007, but five years later there is still zero clarity.
As the search for a replacement James Bond star continues, Debbie McWilliams, casting director of the James Bond movies, a surprise update on the progress so far.
Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Richard Madden, Tom Hardy, Regé-Jean Page, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have been mentioned more than once in recent years as possible new James Bond and the list is growing. Casting director Debbie McWilliams has now put an end to all speculation. “No talks are being held at the moment,” she revealed in conversation with RadioTimes . “Producer Barbara Broccoli has been closely involved in other projects. It is known that there is always a huge gap between the different James Bonds. So no, nothing.”
‘The character evolves’
Although Daniel Craig said goodbye to 007 more than a year ago, there are still no serious candidates to replace him. In fact, to know who will play James Bond, they will first have to be clear about how they envision the new super spy. Last June, Broccoli revealed that they are “reinventing who 007 is.” “That’s what’s so exciting and fun about this franchise; the character evolves. Eventually we will find the right person.”
Michael G. Wilson, who co-directs it with Barbara Broccoli, recently gave a glimpse of who they think James Bond is. “Bond is a veteran, he has had some experience,” he said deadline . “He is a person who has been through wars. Bond must have been in the SAS or something. He’s not some high school kid, he’s an over thirty.”
Debbie McWilliams confirms that young actors are less suitable for the role of 007. In the past they would have looked at younger actors, but that turned out not to be a match. “They didn’t have the mental capacity to take it on. It’s not just taking on the role, it’s a huge responsibility.”
Prince William
It should be clear that quite strict requirements are set for the new James Bond. Remarkably, producer Barbara Broccoli would consider Britain’s Prince William the ‘perfect candidate’ to become the next James Bond. “Unfortunately he is not available. He is too busy, but would be the perfect candidate. He has it all,” she said jokingly or not after she was allowed to collect her royal decoration at Buckingham Palace in June.
Besides his not too old, but also not too young age, the new Bond must be a British man who is willing to commit himself for a few years. “A lot of people think, ‘Oh yes, it would be nice to do one’. So that won’t work. It is a ten to twelve year commitment. Not everyone wants to do that. It was hard enough to get Daniel Craig to do that,” Broccoli previously said variety .
Whoever it’s going to be, everyone will have to play the same scene during their audition: the one out From Russia With Love where Bond suspects there is an intruder in his hotel room, only to discover that it is Tatiana Romanova who is trying to seduce him. “Anyone who plays that scene convincingly is suitable for Bond,” revealed Michael G Wilson. “It’s really a very difficult scene.”
As far as Debbie McWilliams is concerned, unknown actors also have a chance for the iconic role. “It’s about who is best suited for the role.” This immediately complicates the great guessing of fans. She can only laugh about all the names that have been suggested so far. “Why can’t people just wait and see, I don’t get it!”