Internet sleuths are convinced Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard, Eternals) has been cast as the next James Bond after the Scottish thespian posted an extremely tongue-in-cheek video of himself enjoying a martini alongside Citadel co-star Stanley Tucci.
The duo clink glasses of 007โs signature cocktail before Tucci asks Madden: โHowโs yours?โ To which Madden replies while staring at the camera: โDelicious.โ This otherwise awkward exchange is punctuated by what Deadlineโs Caroline Frost so aptly describes as โconspiratorialโ giggles; as if thereโs an inside joke weโre all missing.
Of course, it didnโt take long before the accusations were fired in both Madden and Tucciโs direction.
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โNew Bond and Q???โ commented one user.
โThere you go, the new James Bond,โ commented another.
โTo the gods of 007 this is a no brainer.โ
The identity of Daniel Craigโs successor post-No Time To Die has been shrouded in speculation even before the now-retired screen spy hung up his gun.
Over the past few months, the cyberspace has been awash with rumours, pointing towards everyone from Spider-Man star Tom Holland (which has since been debunked) to the slightly more credible Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Taylor-Johnson โ who you may have encountered through the likes of Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tenet, and most recently, Bullet Train โ was a โtop choice,โ according to an insider who spoke with The Sun back in December.
โHe went for a screen test to be the next James Bond in September and producers and [Barbara Broccoli] loved him. He is now one of the front-runners.โ
The news of Taylor-Johnsonโs secretive audition at Pinewood Studios naturally instilled an overwhelming sense of confidence in his candidacy.
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Almost immediately after the headlines circulated, he was listed as the Sportsbet favourite at $2.87, beating out the more established likes of:
- Henry Cavill ($3.25)
- Rege-Jean Page ($3.50)
- Aidan Turner ($4.50)
- Chiwetel Ejiofor ($4.50)
- The perennially discussed triumvirate of Tom Hardy ($6.50), Idris Elba ($10.00), Richard Madden ($10.00)
- Michael Fassbender ($17.00)
- and plenty more
While itโs still uncertain who will take on the iconic mantle at this stage, we do know the specific criteria.
No Time To Die reignited the longstanding debate about whether the franchise should finally introduce the first female Bond. In part due to the fact that Lashana Lynch portrayed an MI6 operative who inherited the 007 moniker after Craigโs James Bond walked away from the spy life. Such an outcome, however, has been ruled out by the custodians of this modern mythology. And for good reason.
โI think it will be a man because I donโt think a woman should play James Bond,โ said veteran Bond producer Barbara Broccoli (daughter of Cubby Broccoli).
โI believe in making characters for women and not just having women play menโs roles. I donโt think there are enough great roles for women, and itโs very important to me that we make movies for women about women.โ
โHe should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race].โ
When prompted about the matter of 007โs gender, Daniel Craig himself echoed the very same sentiments as Barbara Broccoli.
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โThe answer to that is very simple. There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour,โ he explained.
โWhy should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?โ
Well-informed insiders have also revealed the producers are keen to turn back the clock on old JB, hopefully finding someone fresher-faced than on previous occasions. But within reason. Michael G. Wilson (half-brother of Barbara) further narrowed the scope by stating thereโs a definite age parameter.
โWeโve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesnโt work,โ said Wilson.
โRemember, Bondโs already a veteran. Heโs had some experience. Heโs a person who has been through the wars, so to speak.โ
โHeโs probably been in the SAS or something. He isnโt some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. Thatโs why it works for a 30-something.โ
In summary, the next James Bond will be a young-ish preferably British actor/British-passing actor hailing from the UK like Richard Madden or, indeed, Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
