James Bond producers want the next 007 to be in the role for a decade
James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson talk about their long-term expectations for anyone who steps into the iconic role of 007 after Daniel Craig.and type (opens in new tab) Talking about how perennial front-runner Idris Elba seems to have distanced himself from the role, Broccoli said that while it’s still “early stages” and no imminent release has been announced, they expect the next James Bond will persist for a long time.
“The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years. When we picked Bond, it was a 10- to 12-year commitment,” Broccoli said. “So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everyone wants to do that. It’s hard to get [Daniel Craig to do it]Wilson added: “He was in his early 30s! “
While the producers are keeping mum about Bond’s future — for example, the decision on who to replace Craig appears to last until 2023 — it’s clear they want 007’s next phase to be more like their predecessor. Daniel Craig has played an MI6 agent in five films, from 2006’s “Casino Royale” to 2022’s “No Time to Die”.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh yeah, it’s going to be fun to do one,'” Broccoli said. “Okay. That won’t work.”
The need for longevity in multiple films may also rule out those in their 30s and 40s — including Henry Cavill and Tom Hiddleston. But that’s speculation for another day. Find out how the past 007s fared in our full ranking of the best James Bond films.
