'Rain Dogs' star Daisy May Cooper in talks to replace Ralph Fiennes as M in James Bond franchise
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: According to reports, Daisy May Cooper is in talks to play spy head M in forthcoming James Bond movies. The 36-year-old actress is claimed to have captured the attention of the production executives, who are hoping she will bring humor and a distinctive flair to the role. She would replace prior celebrities like Ralph Fiennes and Dame Judi Dench in the role.
Script consultant Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 37, a close friend of 'This Country' star Daisy, who joined the franchise, has sparked the unusual casting discussions, according to industry sources. After Daniel Craig's final picture as 007, 'No Time To Die', released in September 2021, producers have been eager to revamp the franchise. "Daisy is a close pal of Phoebe, whose involvement in Bond was such a success that it sparked an unlikely conversation," a source told The Sun.
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'Lighter and more comedic' M
The chemistry between Bond and 'M' is at the core of the Bond films, and changes on a general level were expected after Daniel's departure. The production team is apparently enthusiastic at the thought of genuinely changing the trajectory of M at this stage of the franchise. "So this opens the door to it being a bit lighter and more comedic going forwards — and will of course impact the direction the new 007 goes in too," the source added.
'M', who has appeared in Ian Fleming's writings since the beginning of James Bond, was modeled by Fleming's own supervisor in the Naval Intelligence Division during World War Two. According to sources, despite rising rumors about a potential new direction, the choice to go back to a female M ensures that Bond will continue to be male. Dame Judi Dench, the Oscar-winner, 88, was the first female M and the second oldest serving, with six films.
The recent claims come shortly after Taron Egerton stated he didn't believe he was the "right choice" to play James Bond. The 33-year-old actor has been mentioned as a potential Daniel Craig replacement, but Taron thinks there are other, more deserving candidates, as per Daily Mail.
Daisy May Cooper's career
In 2017, Daisy became one of the emerging stars of British television and film when she played Kerry Mucklowe in the BBC parody 'This Country'. She co-wrote and co-created 'This Country' along with her brother Charlie, who also acted in the show. The mockumentary won Daisy a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. Daisy went on to see greater success in several dramas and comedies, such as 'Am I Being Reasonable?' on BBC1, and as a competitor on 'The Masked Singer' on ITV.
Cooper has made appearances in a series of other tv programs and motion pictures after 'This Country', such as 'The Personal Biography of David Copperfield', 'The Wrong Men', 'The Tunnel', and 'The Witchfinder'. She has also written for the comedy panel series '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown', among other projects.