Summary
There is a heaping helping of boiling pressure that comes with playingJames Bond, thanks to decades upon decades of successful films. Bond is a cultural icon who spans generations, and one actor who has been tied to the role for years now isn’t so sure he’d love to shoulder the expectations that come with it.
James Bondwas first introduced in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novelCasino Royale, but the character’s fame really took off with the 1962 feature filmDr. No. It was here that Sean Connery’s Bond became a Hollywood icon and then some. Connery would retire from the role after five films in 1967 (returning twice in the future), leaving the Bond franchise in limbo. George Lazenby would replace Connery for one film before Roger Moore took over for a twelve-year stint as 007. Then came Timothy Dalton’s two films, followed by Pierce Brosnan’s four. Finally, Daniel Craig became James Bond with 2006’sCasino Royale, playing the famous spy through 2021’sNo Time to Die. Now, Amazon MGM andrecently hired director Denis Villeneuveare looking for a new actor to play Bond, though whoever ultimately takes the role will have an unreasonably heavy burden placed upon their shoulders.
During the premiere event forThe Old Guard2 this week, Henry Golding was interviewed byPeopleabout taking overthe character of James Bond. Given the chance to comment on the character yet again, Golding did not mince his words.“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,“he stated.“But at the same time, [you’re] also wanting to kind of add something new to a franchise. Why can’t they bring out more agents or more OO’s? I think that would be so much more fun, because there just [aren’t] the restraints and the expectation. Maybe I’m just a p—-. I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure.”
Henry Golding Is Correct About The Cultural Pressures Of Being James Bond
Golding, best known for starring inCrazy Rich Asians,The Gentleman, andSnake Eyes, is understandably a bit cautious about taking over the James Bond role, something he’s been linked with for years now. Just look at the outrage when Daniel Craig was cast, for example. TheDaily Mirrorchristened Craig as “James Bland,” and various online protests occurred, with numerous people claiming they were considering boycottingCasino Royalebecause Craig didn’t fit the traditional image of Bond. You know… because Sean Connery and Roger Moore looked so similar as James Bond.
“I think whoever they’re going to choose, it’s going to be fun.” - Henry Golding
It makes one wonder what these people would think nowadays, considering just about every single actor with an English accenthas been under considerationsince Craig stepped down from the role in 2021. From older stars like Henry Cavill and Idris Elba, to more age-appropriate fits like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Pierre, the rumors about the next Bond have been all over the place. It was also recently reported that Amazon is looking at Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi for the role, as they want their Bond to be under-30 at the start.
Ultimately, no one knows who the nextJames Bondwill be. What is for certain, though, is that the expectations for their portrayal will be sky high from the moment they’re announced.
