Comic-Con 2020: Is it time for an actor of color to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond after 'No Time to Die'?
To the word, James Bond is a highly unique individual. He is the world's greatest secret agent. He dresses to kill and while at it, he's also got the license to kill. He's suave, charming, fit, and most importantly, beds women with consummate ease. His character has given men a look at how to live the high life -- one imbued with sophistication, grace, and danger. What Sherlock Holmes is to fiction, Bond is to the cinema. And then there are those few actors who have managed to dish out impeccable performances as the super spy.
'No Time to Die' marks Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as the titular spy, James Bond. And he was the perfect fit for the reboot. It was time the world saw a spy with a heart. Despite the ingenious gadgets, the chivalry, the chutzpah, the usual blitzkrieg, and the stunningly and staggeringly beautiful women, it was time for a change. And in a jacked, brash, arrogant Bond in Craig, the franchise hit a jackpot.
Craig's biography in the official site is an interesting read: "Daniel Craig brought the danger, seductive rawness and realism to Bond that the 2006 reboot of the series demanded. Born in Chester, England, in 1968, Craig worked in television and with some of the world’s leading directors, including Sam Mendes, with whom he would later work in 'Skyfall'. While taking cues from every one of the previous Bond actors, Craig has redefined James Bond for the 21st Century, exploring new depths in the character and met the challenge of filmmaking with a commitment to performing many of his own stunts."
And after 'No Time to Die', maybe its time to have James Bond of a different color in the mix. While making this statement, the first thought goes out to Idris Elba who was touted to be the next 007. However, he was joined by a string of highly talented Black actors whose names were thrown into the ring— John Boyega ('Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker'), Daniel Kaluuya ('Black Panther'), Chiwetel Ejiofor ('Doctor Strange') and Davide Oyelowo ('Selma').
For now, we can safely rule Elba out of the competition. He's 47 and assuming the 26th Bond film does come out in the next three years or so, he'd be too old to play the character. That said, each of the actors listed brings some of the qualities Elba would have brought to the table— the mercurial wit, the charm, suave-ness, and the ability to perform some high-octane stunts. For now, there is no doubt this would be Craig's last appearance and it will be a while before someone else takes up the mantle.
Leading us to actually talk about how it is time for a Bond of color to probably make an entrance. While hands would be wrung and tongues would be bitten while reading this statement, it's okay to imagine having a Bond of a different color. There's no dearth of talent out there, and in all fairness, the move to have Lashana Lynch as 007 is a sure sign of progress.
“We’ve always tried to have diversity in the films,” Michael G Wilson, the producer of 'No Time to Die', opined in an interview with Black Film. "We’ve always had international casts, and they’ve all been different ethnicities. So it’s nothing new. However, people are more sensitive to what they want to see, and when they see it — they point it out. I think we have a great diverse cast from all over the world. It’s in keeping with the times, but I think we’ve always been a little ahead of the times."
This could just be the start. With Lashana Lynch, there is a new superspy on the block and this is the start for actually having an actor of color dish out the impeccable line.
Comic-Con @ Home 2020 is scheduled to start July 22-26. One of the panels will see a deep dive on Ian Fleming's James Bond in comics past, present, and future. Titled '007 In Comics' the panel is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 11 am PT.
