Thomas McNulty believes in thorough research and ethical journalism with a keen awareness of Hollywood trends and news. Thomas likes to look at the bigger picture of where the industry is heading with all forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, books, video games and live entertainment that are forms of art and should be treated as such. By drawing connections between these various pieces of entertainment, we are able to come closer to understanding society as a whole. Thomas believes in writing for a publication that promotes ethics and morality and that is why he has chosen Hollywood Insider as the right platform to advocate for positive entertainment.
The big question is who is the NEW JAMES BOND? After five films and fourteen years in the iconic role of James Bond, actor Daniel Craig is preparing for his curtain call. Craig has announced that No Time to Die, the twenty-fifth film in the James Bond series, will be his final performance as the character.
While this may seem like a major upset, in truth Daniel Craig’s retirement from the character is a recurring part of the series. Craig is the seventh actor to portray Bond on the big screen, following up distinct and iconic performances by Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Like Craig, each of these actors has eventually chosen to step down from the role to allow a new actor to step into the character’s daring and seductive shoes.
And so, by announcing his final Bond film, Craig poses the obvious question: who will take his place? Many are beginning to weigh in on actors who could serve as our new James Bond, as well as actors they believe could not fill the role. For such an iconic series, a staple of British film culture, there are bound to be passionate opinions on every side.
While this description may seem definitive, it has been largely ignored by the film adaptations of Bond. Sean Connery’s dark brown eyes and Daniel Craig’s blonde hair don’t match Fleming’s description, and yet their performances as Bond were celebrated.
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So, if we disregard the physical features of Bond, we are left to find an actor who can tap into the deeper essence of the character. Someone who is suave, able to inhabit the charm and bravery of James Bond. Someone with the physicality to deliver on the spy action that fans crave. Someone who can bring some humor and levity to a performance that is otherwise somber. Someone who is able to represent Britain, by portraying their most important cinematic hero. These are the qualities that make James Bond.
With a miles-long pedigree, what is stopping Elba from stepping into Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” shoes? Well, according to the man himself in an interview with Vanity Fair, it is a question of skin color. After twenty-five films with a white man portraying Bond, it seems that some would be unwilling to accept a black man in the role. “You just get disheartened,” Elba told Vanity Fair, “when you get people from a generational point of view going, ‘It can’t be.’ And it really turns out to be the color of my skin.”
It should be noted that Fleming’s description of Bond never specifies his skin color, only the color of his hair and eyes. While the context of the novels may make it obvious that Bond is a white man, it is entirely possible to change the character’s skin color without changing the fundamental aspects of the character. I believe that Elba’s charisma, physicality, humor and dramatic experience would make him an outstanding choice to carry on the Bond mantle.
A novel suggestion for the iconic role recently came from singer/songwriter Billie Eilish, who performed the theme song for the upcoming No Time to Die. Eilish told Capital FM that American actor Michael B. Jordan, known for his roles as Erik Killmonger in Black Pantherand Adonis Johnson in Creed, would “kill” the role of James Bond. Jordan is an incredible talent, and despite being American I believe he would give a very unique spin to 007.
Tom Hiddleston, Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy are other popular choices to pick up the reigns of this long-running franchise. Hiddleston’s suave charm, Fassbender’s intensity, and Hardy’s ability to give an intensely physical performance would make these British actors shoe-ins for Bond.
While there is much speculation, in truth it will be quite some time until we learn the identity of the next James Bond. For now Daniel Craig still owns the role, as we await the release of No Time to Die in April of this year. With a five-film streak coming to an end, the movie promises to be an explosive send-off to Craig’s 007.
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Thomas McNulty believes in thorough research and ethical journalism with a keen awareness of Hollywood trends and news. Thomas likes to look at the bigger picture of where the industry is heading with all forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, books, video games and live entertainment that are forms of art and should be treated as such. By drawing connections between these various pieces of entertainment, we are able to come closer to understanding society as a whole. Thomas believes in writing for a publication that promotes ethics and morality and that is why he has chosen Hollywood Insider as the right platform to advocate for positive entertainment.
Thomas McNulty believes in thorough research and ethical journalism with a keen awareness of Hollywood trends and news. Thomas likes to look at the bigger picture of where the industry is heading with all forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, books, video games and live entertainment that are forms of art and should be treated as such. By drawing connections between these various pieces of entertainment, we are able to come closer to understanding society as a whole. Thomas believes in writing for a publication that promotes ethics and morality and that is why he has chosen Hollywood Insider as the right platform to advocate for positive entertainment.
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