Over the course of many decades, the MI6 agent in James Bond: 007 has changed actors as much as the franchise has changed filming locations. But this is exactly the kind of thing that keeps fans interested and in suspense over who will be next in line to fill the shoes of the elusive British spy.
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Although Daniel Craig’s official departure from the James Bond franchise was seen clearly at the end of No Time To Die released in 2021, where the final scene of him being obliterated by bombs marked the end of his role in 007, he actually planned to leave after Spectre in 2015. In an interview with USA Today, Craig expressed his eagerness to leave the James Bond movie series, stating he would rather “slit my wrists” than return for another installment. Ultimately, he was convinced back to the big screen for his fifth and final run as the superspy.
Since then, the hunt has been on for another actor with the perfect blend of grit, charm, seduction, and killer instinct. Sourced from TMZ, two key producers to the James Bond movie franchise, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, have been searching for a potential successor, and Idris Elba’s name was one of the prominent candidates.
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Fans have been requesting Elba, and it seems their cries are finally being heard. Back in 2020, a long list of high-profile actors was mentioned as possible replacements, with the top three being The Revenant’s Tom Hardy, James Norton, and Idris Elba. Sam Heughan from Outlander has also expressed his interest in being cast as the next MI6 agent, stating that he once auditioned for the part. But the fans know what they want, and it’s Idris!
When Brocolli and Wilson were asked on a broadcast about any behind-the-scenes discussions with Elba in regards to taking up the mantle of Bond. After all, he is a native of the Borough of Hackney in London, U.K., so he will feel right at home as a British spy. Broccoli assured fans that she and Elba are friends and that she pitched the idea to him already. However, without giving a concrete statement, she deflected, saying that they wanted Daniel Craig to enjoy his farewell before disclosing any names.
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As expected, skeptics argued that at 49, Idris Elba is too old for the physically demanding role of James Bond. However, they seem to be ignoring the fact that Daniel Craig himself was 53 at the time of filming No Time To Die, and was 48 when he did Spectre in 2015. To add to the fallibility of such ridiculous claims, Elba’s role as Broxton Lore in Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw was filmed in 2019, and required a great deal of physicality and intense action. At the time, he was 47-years-old. That being said, he appears to have much more in the tank than people are giving him credit for.
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Sources: USA Today, TMZ
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