This week, the world of 007 experienced seismic shifts as major news emanated from Amazon MGM Studios. On Thursday, the studio, which owns the iconic James Bond franchise, announced it would officially take over creative control of the beloved series. This transition is significant since the franchise has been overseen for decades by Albert R. Broccoli's children, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, since 1995. While many have raised alarms over this corporate takeover of such a cherished property, others are showing curiosity about the new narrative possibilities this change could introduce.
At the core of the speculation is the pressing question: who will be the next James Bond? Just days before the announcement, Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, reaching out to his 6 million followers on social media, posed the question: “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” The replies poured in, echoing familiar names such as Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hardy, alongside some newer contenders like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson.
A persistent fan favorite throughout this casting conversation has been Henry Cavill, known for his roles as Superman and others. Cavill has often been on the tip of the tongue for fans of Bond, especially last year when he noted, “I have no idea, all I've got to go off is the rumors,” during promotional duties for his film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.” He added, “Maybe I’m too old now, maybe I’m not, we’ll see,” clearly hinting at his uncertainty over the role's requirements.
Cavill's path to potential Bond stardom has been curiously bittersweet; he was infamously considered for the role of Bond years prior, with Martin Campbell, the director of “Casino Royale,” praising his audition. “He looked terrific… very handsome, very chiseled,” Campbell indicated, yet felt Cavill was “a little young at the time.” Ironically, Cavill is now 41—a full year older than Craig was when he took on the role, bringing up yet again the concerns of age and timing.
Mark O’Connell, author of “Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan,” suggests the next Bond may skew younger. “There’s a lot of guys… I’m like, they’re too old,” he noted, particularly taking issue with Hardy, who is 47. O’Connell proposed names like Paul Mescal, 29, and Kingsley Ben-Adir, 38, who recently portrayed Bob Marley, indicating Amazon’s likely instinct to target actors who can potentially commit to multiple films.
Meanwhile, the odds have shifted according to betting firms. A recent collaboration between the Daily Mail and William Hill noted Josh O’Connor has emerged as the frontrunner with 7/1 odds, leading to some confusion since O’Connor himself joked about the rumor from Deadline, “If I am Bond, I don’t know about it,” adding layers to the already muddled speculation. O'Connor, 34, could potentially usher in a soft masculinity to Bond, distancing the character from traditional hyper-masculinity.
Breaking with tradition, there is room for change as Amazon assesses the potential of introducing diversity within the character. It was Broccoli herself who previously commented on Bond's physicality. “James Bond can be of any color, but he is male,” she remarked back in 2020. Still, with the growing conversation around inclusivity, actors like Rege-Jean Page or even Cynthia Erivo have found themselves cited as hopeful future choices, invoking debates around gender and race.
The direction the franchise may take with female characters and villains is also under scrutiny. Critics argue for more nuanced representations, particularly from Amazon's lens, as discussions about what constitutes today’s anxieties are shaped by current global challenges. Will the new villain, perhaps, represent climate change, technology fears, or political turmoil as these themes resonate with modern audiences?
The anticipation surrounding who will follow Daniel Craig—who has portrayed Bond since 2006—embodies both apprehension and excitement across age demographics. With each suggested name, fans share their visions of the iconic secret agent. “I want to have an answer for you... but it's all up in the air,” said BBC Radio 1 film critic Ali Plumb about the conversation. While there's nostalgia for past portrayals, heroes like Cavill also ignite dreams of fresh beginnings.
Proponents of the franchise like Ajay Chowdhury view this transition as “a national and international obsession,” terfishing the narrative between lighthearted fun and sophisticated storytelling. Reflecting on the back-and-forth nature of Bond’s portrayals over decades, Chowdhury suggests it might be time to bring back the fun factor, hinting at the balance between drama and whimsical adventures, which previously elevated the series.
With casting rumors swirling, the pressure on Amazon to select a new actor who blends well within the cinematic skirmishes of Bond is palpable. The Bond franchise’s legacy depends on it, and anticipation will only grow as fans across the world await announcements, hoping for the right actor to embody the legendary character.