Daniel Craig is reprising his role as James Bond in SPECTRE this weekend and with every Bond release, the conversation has already turned to who will replace him when he hangs up his tailored suit. The 47-year old actor is contracted to do at least one more movie, but if you’re one of the many (many) people to take his recent comments seriously, you may already be under the impression that this is his last rodeo.
Craig has said he would "slash his wrists" before thinking about doing another anytime soon and "doesn't give a f**k" who replaces him. So this of course had many believing that a different actor will be taking the keys to the Aston Martin and shagging a foreign vixen because something something save the Queen. Or this could all just be his British humor kicking in during PR time after being asked the same stupid questions again and again; that’s what I will believe anyway.
Regardless, someone at some point will take over the role and it’s always in the internet’s best interest to speculate and come up with ideas, so here we are. When I think of James Bond, I think of suits and the Walther PPK. We were a Bond house growing up; my dad loved these movies more than he loved us, I’m certain of it. With each viewing he would supply commentary, telling us trivia about the movie and its actors. Like my dad, I was a Roger Moore fan, due to his humorous take on the character. Daniel Craig brings a tougher approach that seems necessary for today’s action movie audiences, and that’s probably my second favorite.
The role of 007 has been portrayed on film by actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Personally, I would be fine with Idris Elba (PACIFIC RIM, The Wire) as Bond. I wasn’t at first, mostly because I hate when people start up a cause just to pat themselves on the back, and that’s how I felt when the Elba campaign started. The Bond character was literally written and sketched as a white male. So when people want to have that changed to a black actor or female and start shouting about equality, I lose interest fast. The actor even said "I just don't want to be the black James Bond, Sean Connery wasn't the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn't the blue-eyed James Bond so if I played him I don't want to be called the black James Bond." He gets it. So fast forward to having binge watched the TV series Luther, and I was sold on the idea. Not for PC reasons, but because he’s a great actor with the right amount of grit (and accent) to pull it off. He is 43 now, so chances are slim if the powers that be are looking for longevity and a five movie deal.
Now if we want a young bloke to step up, how about Tom Hiddleston? Probably best known for his numerous turns as Loki in those little Marvel movies you may have seen; I believe this British charmer has what it takes to land the role. Picture this guy in a fitted suit, smirking and dodging bullets on skis and you got yourself a Bond. Then of course, there is Michael Fassbender; it should be no surprise that with the growing popularity of this actor that his name has been said a few times when talking about a Bond replacement. Sure it was people on my bus and I was asking them if he would be a good Bond, but trust me, people are talking.
Fassbender has a feel about him that is perfect for the role; his take on Magneto and the masterful performance in SHAME are already enough for a resume to hand in. What if his INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS director Quentin Tarantino finally got to make his dream Bond movie (something not set in present day) and brought him on for the role? I might cry joy.
Those are my choices however, so what about yours? Would you be going younger or older for your casting choices? What about changing up the role to someone of color or even a gender swap? Is Tom Hardy too serious for the role? He’s got the grit, but does he have the cool? What about MAN OF STEEL Henry Cavill? He’s got a certain look about him; he was even considered for Martin Campbell’s CASINO ROYAL once upon a time but was considered too young. Well, time has passed, have his chances? Could we go all out with Colin Firth? We all loved him in KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, but even he has said "the James Bond ship has sailed". A James Bond Jr. (studios love them young) with Jack O'Connell could be someone’s idea of fun…anyone? Let’s see what you Bond fans got, just don't say Chris Pratt, please!
With so many great choices I can’t imagine this will be easy for any of you; so who wold you like to see with a license to kill?
RESULTS FROM CAST THIS: TOMB RAIDER – 1. Alexandra Daddario 2. Camilla Luddington 3. Gemma Arterton