James Bond producers have said upcoming films in the franchise will have bigger roles for women and will see a more “emotional” side of the 007 spy.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson spoke about their plans for the franchise following the departure of Daniel Craig as Bond in No Time To Die.
Producer Barbara, 62, said Daniel, 54, humanized the once-female spy and that the character’s “emotional” development will continue in the next installment.
Big changes: James Bond producers have said upcoming films in the franchise will have bigger roles for women and will see the 007 spy “more emotionally”
She also spoke about how recent Bond films have featured larger roles for women, adding that they plan to include meatier female roles in the new films as well.
“It’s an evolution,” she told Variety magazine. “Bond develops just like men. I don’t know who is developing faster.”
Lashana Lynch played spy Nomi in No Time To Die and made history as the first black double agent.
Discussing Daniel’s more human version of Bond, Barbara – who produces the franchise with her half-brother Michael – said it was the first time the spy had been “emotionally broken up”.
Planning: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson (pictured) talk about their plans for the franchise after Daniel Craig’s departure as Bond in No Time To Die
“The movies are over [Daniel’s] was the first time we really connected the emotional arc,” she said.
Barbara and Michael, 80, also spoke about their mission to find a new actor to play Bond after Daniel stepped down from the role after its fifth and final episode.
Producers insisted they don’t yet have to decide who will take on the iconic role, stating that the next 007 movie is at least “a few” years away.
Responding to rumors that Idris Elba might be considered for the role, Barbara addressed them, saying they hadn’t been in touch with the Luther actor recently but insisting they “love” him.
New roles: Barbara also spoke about how recent Bond films have shown bigger roles for women, adding that they plan to include meatier female roles in the new films as well
But they admitted Idris, 50, may be reluctant to make such a long commitment and Michael said it was hard enough signing Daniel when he was in his 30s.
They said there are also similar challenges when considering a much younger actor for the role, saying they need to understand the role is a very long-term commitment.
Wilson said it was a huge “investment” for Eon Productions to release a new Bond, while Broccoli called casting a new 008 a complete “reinvention”.
She said the actor they choose must best fit their plans for Bond and where they want to take the character in the upcoming films.
Lashana Lynch played spy Nomi in Star: No Time To Die and made history as the first black female double agent
Stars including Tom Hardy, Richard Madden and Henry Cavill were also named as prime candidates to cast Bond after Barbara confirmed the next agent would be male.
Venom actor Tom, 45, has apparently confirmed he wants to be the next 007 – by refusing to talk about the role for fear he would be blacklisted.
Speaking to the Daily Beast in 2017, he admitted, “If I mention it, it’s gone.”
He explained, “You know, there’s a saying among us in the acting fraternity and in the community of my peers that if you talk about it, you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that!’
While Henry, 39, has said for years he’s still interested in the coveted role should an opportunity arise.
New 007? Addressing rumors that Idris Elba could be the new Bond, Barbara admitted he might be reluctant to make such a long commitment
He told the Sunday Times in 2021 that “time will tell” if he becomes the latest actor to portray the iconic role, with Daniel Craig leaving the action franchise.
“You don’t know what direction they want Bond to take, so I like to say it’s always on the table,” he said.
The Superman star, who was poised for the role in 2005 when Daniel was cast, speculated on who might be eyed for the role.
He told GQ in 2020 that he would “absolutely jump at the opportunity” if it arose as he “would love to play Bond” and that “it would be very, very exciting”.
Could it be? No Time To Die was Daniel Craig’s fifth and final film and raised questions about who will take on the role – including Henry Cavill (left) and Tom Hardy (right).
Another favorite is Regé Jean-Page, who admitted last year he’s “flattered” to be among a host of British stars being trafficked for the iconic role.
He told The Mirror: “Ah, the B-word. I think if you’re British and you do something remarkable that other people notice, then people will start talking about it.
Despite being the bookmakers’ favourite, the Bridgerton star said he was confused by the idea of making any plans at “this moment in history” and had “given up”.
Barbara – the daughter of original James Bond producer Albert Broccoli – has previously told patient fans they could wait some time for the 26th Eon film as filming of the next epic is “at least two years away”.
Talented: Bookmakers placed Henry at the top at 5/2 while Regé Jean-Page (pictured July 2022) is odds at 4/1
Speaking at a dinner where she and screenwriter Michael, 80, were awarded BFI grants in June, Barbara also hinted at major changes to the character when she said they are “reinventing” the MI6 agent .
According to the Chron’s Richard Eden, she teased: “I would say filming is at least two years away. It’s a Bond reinvention.”
She also said that she and Michael haven’t started writing a script for the upcoming 007 movie yet because they want to make casting decisions first and how they will approach the next part.
The half-siblings were transferred to Albert Broccoli’s famed Eon Productions in 1995, a year before he passed away at the age of 87.
Rumors: Richard Madden, who recently starred in Marvel’s The Eternals, is also being considered for Bond
Since then, Barbara and Michael have been in charge of the 007 franchise and have cast both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for their Bond runs.
It comes after Ian Fleming’s Instagram account made a special announcement for the franchise. The late writer died in 1964.
The account, under the late author’s name, shared a cryptic post of a retro typewriter and teased the announcement for October 5, officially dubbed James Bond Day.
“See you on James Bond Day! #007,” the account wrote, adding eyeball emojis.
The post left fans buzzing with excitement and took in the comments, with one writing that they were “eagerly awaiting” the news.
Coming soon: It comes after Ian Fleming’s Instagram account made a special announcement for the franchise
October 5th is also known as James Bond Day to fans of the long-running franchise, as it marks the world premiere date of the first James Bond film in 1962.
This day of celebration first began in 2012 when the Bond films celebrated their golden anniversary – with events around the world.
Elsewhere, Amazon recently acquired MGM, the studio behind Bond, for £6billion and the deal will see the first-ever reality TV series based on the franchise.
Bond: 007’s Road to a Million will see contestants follow clues in an epic global race and compete for a £1million cash prize.
Barbara admitted she declined to do a TV show for Bond as they didn’t want the contestants to have to do “dangerous” things, but she insisted it was perfectly safe to film.
Exit: Barbara and Michael, 80, also said they were in no rush to find a new actor to play Bond after Daniel stepped down from the role after its fifth and final part