The “James Bond” movie series focuses on British Secret Service agent James Bond. The character, also known by the code number 007, was created by novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. Fleming featured the character in several of his novels and story collections. Also, James Bond was soon adapted for films, comics, television, and video games. In 1962, the James Bond character was adapted into a film in the first “James Bond” series, “Dr No,” where he was sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of another British agent.
Since the premiere of the first “James Bond” movie, 25 others, including “Diamonds are Forever,” “Never Say Never Again,” “The Living Daylights,” “Tomorrow Never Dies, “No Time To Die,” etc., which are centered around the Bond character, have premiered. In all 26 installments of the series, six actors have brought the role to life. These actors include Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Craig was the most recent actor to portray the Bond character. Following his decision to take a bow from the role, lots of speculation has risen concerning the most suitable actor to fill his shoes. Besides questions swirling around about who should take up the role next, several people, including former “James Bond” star Brosnan, have suggested that a woman should portray James Bond in the movie’s next installment.
While the actor who is to take Craig’s place is still unknown, “James Bond” producer Barbara Broccoli has shut down speculation that the next 007 is a woman. Broccoli made this revelation in a December 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Daniel Craig has become a household name since taking on the Hollywood mantle of playing the perennially suave secret agent James Bond. He first took on the role in 2006’s “Casino Royale” before going on to star in four more installments of the series, the last being 2021’s “No Time To Die.” He delivered a shock to fans when he announced “No Time To Die” would be his last venture as the MI6 agent.
For the younger generation, he was the only Bond they knew and grew up with. Although Craig is a talented actor with incredible range, for many, he will undoubtedly be inextricably linked to the role for many more years to come. And for a good reason, too. Craig’s turn as the dashing spy received commercial and critical acclaim. Richard Brody of The New Yorker wrote that Craig brought “a distinctive affect to Bond — clenched, airtight, impenetrable, abraded.” Justin Chang of NPR wrote:
“Craig put his imprint on the character from the get-go: Like any good 007, he showed he could rock a tuxedo and toss off double-entendres with ease.”
Craig’s turn as Bond has been so iconic it’s hard to imagine how the franchise will move forward without him. As filming wrapped on his last film, Craig gave an emotional farewell speech, where he said:
“A lot of people here worked on five pictures with me. I know there are a lot of things said about what I think of these films, but I’ve loved every single second of these movies. And especially this one because I’ve got up every morning, and I’ve had the chance to work with you guys. And that has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Speculation has been trailing the Bond franchise since the last film in the series “No Time To Die” premiered in 2021. Lovers of the Bond series have been curious to know when the next installment of the series will premiere and who will portray the next James Bond character following Craig’s decision to leave the franchise. While many have thrown several names in the hat as possible replacements for Craig, others have speculated that there might be a female Bond in the next installment.
Some of those speculations were laid to rest when “James Bond” producer Broccoli revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that a man will always play the Bond role.
“I think it will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she said.
“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.”
Broccoli also shed light on the conversation surrounding the race of the actor who will be portraying the British Secret Agent in the next installment of the series.
“He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race],” Broccoli said.
Broccoli’s 2021 chat with The Hollywood Reporter is in line with a 2018 interview she had with The Guardian. Then, she noted that the role was for a male actor and will continue to be portrayed by one, as was intended by Fleming.
“Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women,” she said.
What do you think of Barbara Broccoli confirming that James Bond will always be played by a man? Do you think there was ever a possibility that it would be played by a woman? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members, and fans of James Bond.
