This weekend has been quite interesting for the fandom of James Bond as the film’s producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, revealed on Deadline’s Crew Call podcast that Idris Elba has been “part of the conversation” regarding the next 007.
Those four words got UK media and film websites ablaze as Elba has been a popular pick for a solid five-plus years. However, apart from the fandom of the franchise, everyone seems to forget the British actor is 50 this year and by the time production begins, he’d be closer to Daniel Craig’s age when filming No Time To Die.
It’s nothing against the bloke’s talent, he’s terrific, and if this were 2010 then 100% he’d be Bond, to the point we’re probably talking about his replacement, but now he is simply too old.
Unless MGM, Eon and now Amazon wanted to do a one and done old man James Bond movie similar to the superb James Mangold film, Logan as a placeholder before getting Craig’s long-term replacement, then sign me the fuck up.
Yet I feel this story alongside a new Daily Express clickbait story or film website something like this or people mention one of Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Tom Holland, or Rege Jean-Page is getting to the point the fandom must be close to becoming like Alan Partridge shouting, “Stop getting Bond wrong!”
It goes for a long list of British actors who are rumoured simply because they look good in a suit.
This doesn’t mean Elba won’t be involved in the next era of the franchise. He’d be a brilliant M or Bond villain, something he was in the Fast and Furious spin-off, Hobbs and Shaw.
“Well, we know Idris, we’re friends with him, and he’s a magnificent actor. And, you know, it’s been part of the conversation, but it’s always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat,” stated Broccoli (via NME).
As for the others, Cavill and Hardy are far too well known, Holland is too young, too small and busy being a great Spider-Man. As for the Bridgeton star Page (who was in my top three), he’s coming such a top pick around the industry it feels like it’s less likely, and he’s working with Paramount on The Saint.
What’s more likely to happen is Broccoli and co will either go with a complete unknown or an actor with some name recognition as Bond is one of two properties, Batman would be the other, that doesn’t need a big name to take the role as the role will make the actor.
Look at Robert Pattinson, yes he did Twilight, but he went on to do indie projects and top directors developing his craft before becoming The Batman. This could be what the Eon producers follow.
Broccoli has previously stated discussions will happen this year but added in this podcast nothing would happen until NTTD has run its course.
“I think we have decided that until No Time To Die has had its run and Daniel has been able to – well, we’ve all been able to savour, recap the benefits of Daniel’s wonderful tenure, we’re not gonna think about, or talk about anyone else,” the producer added.
As for names that could take over, ideally it’ll be someone who can take on the physicality of the role and be around for 10-15 years. Names like Henry Golding and Nicholas Hoult should be kept an eye on, and a wildcard pick would be Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London star Joe Cole.
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