What should the next James Bond look like?
CNET via MGM/Universal Pictures
With the closing of the newest Bond film: “No Time to Die” fans are left speculating over what the next James Bond should look like. In this week’s edition of Cinema Summaries, Andrew explores the possible options the franchise will choose from.
October 27, 2021
As The end credits for No Time To Die rolled, audiences sat astounded in their seats. James Bond was dead. Many theatergoers assumed this could be the last from James Bond, but as the credits finished their slow scroll, audience members who sat through the credits would have looked upon their silver screen to read the words: “James Bond will return”.
Daniel Craig portrayed the character for 16 years, without any other actor taking up the role within that time. This is even unmatched by the late Sir Sean Connery, who played the role for over 20 years, but with other actors portraying James Bond several times between his first and last Bond film. It is truly the end of an era, and now, many Bond fans question who will be the next Actor to portray the character.
When comparing James Bond’s actors to those of characters who have also been rebooted across the decades, finding an actor who can play Bond hasn’t been too hard. For example, ever since Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of Superman, his face has become synonymous with his character to the point where all future actors have had similar facial features and characteristics with Reeve. Even the comic book artists would begin to capture some of Reeve’s look when drawing Superman. For Bond however, the criteria isn’t as specific.
Bond’s only common traits across the decades of films can be narrowed down to three common factors; he’s a man, he’s British, and he’s white. Even then, the criteria can still be generalized when casting a future Bond. England’s population is made up of more than just whistle people, and if the next generation of Bond films were to take place in the modern day, it is perfectly reasonable for a black man, or Indian man to play Bond. In our current culture of recasting historically white characters as that of another ethnicity, it is entirely possible for James Bond to be the next in this trend.
The main argument against this, besides one rooted in bigotry, is that the character of James Bond is supposed to be someone who can fit in inconspicuously, undetected by enemies, and making him a minority would have him stand out too much. Although the character has been wearing flashy tuxedos and driving fancy cars for years now, nobody has seemed to care too much. Why not have him stand out for one more reason?
However, it is possible that the next Bond film will take place in the past, possibly even in the 1950’s or 60’s, where the character originated from. If this is the case, it would be more likely that the actor needed to portray the character would likely need to be white.
Regardless of your opinion on what the next James Bond should look like, people across the whole fandom, superfans or casual viewers can agree that the next actor should be someone talented, dedicated, and likes his vodka martini shaken, not stirred.
