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James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have confirmed they are in the ‘early days’ of casting the new 007, but they have warned that they want the next actor to commit to the role for around ’10 to 12 years’.
In an exclusive interview with Variety, the pair spoke about Idris Elba, who recently ruled himself out of playing the character despite at one point being the favourite to replace Daniel Craig.
Although they reiterated how ‘great’ the Luther actor is, they said they can understand why he does not want the role.
Watch Daniel Craig bid farewell to James Bond below…
Broccoli explained: “The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off, and when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-12-year commitment.
“So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].”
Elba publicly ruled himself out when he appeared on The Shop podcast and said: “I don’t think that, you know, playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals.”
He did, however, acknowledge that a lot of the public does want him to play the character.
Elba continued: “It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation. I’m not gonna lie, every corner of the world I go, and I’m talking about different cultures, they always go ‘Bond’, and I feel it is beyond me at this junction.
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“I’m not that guy, but in everyone’s world I might be.”
Craig played 007 in five films spanning over 15 years, with his first appearance being in Casino Royale (2006) and his final outing as the famous British spy being in No Time To Die (2021).
There have been many names rumoured to be in the running for the role, which is arguably one of the most iconic roles in cinema.
Actors such as Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Tom Holland, Luke Evans, and Regé-Jean Page have all been touted to be the next James Bond.
The producers understand how big their next casting decision is, along with the importance of the character.
Broccoli said to Variety: “A lot of people think, ‘Oh yeah, it’d be fun to do one’.
“Well. That ain’t gonna work.”
Wilson added: “It’s a big investment for us [Eon Productions], too, to bring out a new Bond.”
Broccoli continued: “That’s why, when people go, ‘Oh, who are you going to get?’ it’s not just about casting an actor for a film. It’s about a reinvention, and ‘Where are we taking it? What do we want to do with the character?’.
“And then, once we figure that out, who’s the right person for that particular reinvention?
“But it’s a big commitment. It’s not just showing up for a couple of months of filming.”
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Another actor who was previously in the running, but has ruled himself out publicly is John Boyega.
The Star Wars actor said in an appearance on the Happy Sad Podcast that James Bond shouldn’t be played by a Black actor.
“When you’re Black, I don’t know how that goes. You as a white man grew up in a society as a white man and that’s normal.
“That’s normal to you. Even the mention of a Black Bond is like ‘Oh, OK’.
“I don’t necessarily believe that but if that’s what they’re doing then that is very surprising to me.
“As an actor, you kind of just stay out of that conversation. But if it’s for you then maybe. But if not then you just enjoy it in a movie theatre like everyone else.”
All 25 James Bond films are currently available on Amazon Prime.
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