Another Prominent Frontrunner For The Role Of James Bond…

Summary

The James Bond franchise is in need of a new lead after Daniel Craig's exit.
Actor Josh O'Connor has debunked rumors of being offered the iconic role.
Stalemate between Amazon and Bond creators delays the casting of the next 007.

James Bond is an action film icon beyond the catalog of any one actor to truly lay claim to, but the franchise still needs a new lead in the wake of Daniel Craig’s exit as Agent 007, and yet another prominent fan favorite for the role has seemingly shot down the idea.

The titular role in the James Bond franchise has been taken on by a long list of talented actors since Sean Connery first brought the character from Ian Fleming’s standout works. Most recently, the role was taken on by Craig, who was 007 from 2006’s Casino Royale all the way through to No Time To Die in 2021 to end his tenure as the longest-serving Bond. With Craig gone, the franchise has hit a standstill with no new casting and no new production details. Fans have been rabid for the franchise to return since, with even a clearly AI-generated James Bond hoax doing big numbers on YouTube due to the high demand for another entry in the franchise.

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By Jack Peachey

Fortunately for the producers and unfortunately for fans trying to nail down a likely candidate, there are a plethora of actors that would make a great James Bond, both for a traditional portrayal and a reimagining of the role. One name that’s been prominent in the discussion recently has been British actor Josh O’Connor, most recently seen in a prominent role alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist on Challengers. However, the actor has debunked any claims that he’s been offered the part with a definitive statement denying any such knowledge. “I have no thoughts, really,” he revealed in a recent interview with Deadline. “The truth is that … I think in the space of a week, I made a joke about, wouldn’t it be funny if I played Bond? Then, me and Daniel [Craig] did an Actors on Actors, and then something else happened, and then suddenly I was James Bond. If I am Bond, I don’t know about it.”

While O’Connor meets the requirements confirmed by the James Bond producers for the next lead, those alone aren’t enough to go on and leave the field far too open. While there’s certainly a case to be made for O’Connor being telegraphed for the role with his Actors on Actors appearance with Daniel Craig shortly after making comments about taking on the role, it really can’t be that big of a deal if the man himself doesn’t know much about it.

Fans have really only gotten disappointing updates concerning the next James Bond casting from official sources, and that hasn’t changed yet. As such, the rumor mill will keep turning until the franchise stewards make a move to officially crown the next 007 or take the franchise in a new direction if that’s the move they settle on. This has been blamed primarily on a serious stalemate between Amazon, who purchased Bond’s home studio MGM recently, and the family that oversees the IP. While there aren’t too many details out in the open, the crux of the matter is that Barbara Broccoli, who holds the power to decide the next Bond thanks to her creative control over the character, doesn’t trust Amazon, which holds the rights to make new films via the MGM purchase, to go along with her creative vision, citing the company’s algorithm-centric approach to such matters. As a result, Broccoli and her half-brother/co-franchise head Michael G. Wilson have held back on crowning a new 007, presumably expecting the choice to not go down well with Amazon.

The speculation is likely to keep going even after the role is filled at this point, and even previous Bond Daniel Craig has weighed in on who should get the nod next, albeit in a cheeky, nonchalant statement distancing him from the process. While there’s no set time frame for a new Bond to emerge, the powers that be would be wise to give fans something while the franchise still has this massive swell of interest at hand and make it good to boot. Whether or not this project will materialize soon or the casting will take years remains to be seen, but in the meantime, the guesses will keep on coming.