Bond 25 is being filmed in London and celebrates 25 years of the mega-successful franchise. But this Bond film will be unlike any other film ever made because this time, Agent 007 is going to be portrayed by a black actress.
The Daily Mail reported that the British actress Lashana Lynch will replace Daniel Craig in the film, after he retires from M16. Daily Mail quoted from anonymous “move insider”, who claimed that the film will open with a retired James Bond relaxing in Jamaica who is asked to come back to fight off a new threat.
“There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says, “Come in 007”, and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman,” the source said. “It’s a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond but he’s been replaced as 007.”
Lashana Lynch first made her film debut with Fast Girls in 2011, but sprung to fame for her role in Captain Marvel as a fighter pilot named Maria Rambeau.
The news was met with mixed reactions. While a lot of people were happy with this decision of the franchise finally evolving, some weren’t ready for a change like this.
Wow. Lashana Lynch is the next 007. She’s not playing Bond, but will take over the code name. Brava, Phoebe Waller-Bridge for ushering in a new era where WoC can lead a spy series, like Sandra Oh in #KillingEve. H/t @iamlaurenp https://t.co/qcSpMHF2zR
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) July 14, 2019
Tired: casting more white men in 007 roles
Wired: casting Idris Elba or another male actor of colour in 007 roles
Inspired: casting Lashana Lynch, a black female actor, as a 007#Bond25
https://t.co/KqgcvJMzPM— aisling (@aislina) July 14, 2019
Sorry, I don’t wanna seem to be aggressive, or misoginist or racist because I’m not.
But #LashanaLynch as the new 007? It’s a huge NO.
It’s not a matter of period of time we’re in, political movement (#metoo) or giving women more opportunities, or stereotype… (1/4)
— MP (@MattePirovano) July 14, 2019
@007 I’m all for gender equality but this is just going too far. James Bond has been a male lead movie for decades and now it will be ruined. We all saw what happened with Ghostbusters and Ocean’s . There are just certain roles that shouldn’t be messed with.
#disappointed pic.twitter.com/zy6NJcOiCa
— Jack Tamkin (@jacktamkin) July 15, 2019
How filmmakers will carefully and successfully incorporate such a big change in such a male-dominated franchise? We’ll only find out when it releases.
Bond 25 is set to release in April 2020.