James Bond Casting Search Isn’t Looking At Anyone Under 30
Debbie McWilliams says that she will not cast an actor to play James Bond who is younger than 30 because they won't have "the gravitas."
His Majesty’s Secret Service is still searching for a new James Bond. As Debbie McWilliams prepares to begin the casting process, she recently revealed that the next 007 would be in his 30s. Speaking to Radio Times, she said the decision is in line with franchise tradition. She also explained that younger actors didn’t have “the gravitas” for the part.
Recalling the Casino Royale casting, McWilliams said the studio auditioned a lot of young actors for the James Bond role, but they just weren’t a good fit. “I don’t think they had the gravitas. They didn’t have the experience,” she told the publication. She explained that their lack of “mental capacity” to take up the mantle was due to the level of responsibility that came with it.
“It’s not just the part they’re taking on. It’s a massive responsibility,” McWilliams added. After several failed auditions, the studio scrapped the idea of a younger James Bond and decided to “go back to the drawing board.” Daniel Craig, who was 38 at the time, was eventually cast as James Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale.
Age was one of the reasons Henry Cavill, who was 22 at the time, was ruled out as a possible James Bond. Although the Superman star has become a fan-favorite choice for the role, in 2022, the actor told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he’s too busy for the job. “I’m quite busy now,” he said, adding that it would still be fun to be considered.
“Whether I’m considered for the role or not, I don’t know,” Cavill added. “But it’d be fun to have the conversation, for sure. And if I’m not, I want to see what they do with it next.” Following Daniel Craig’s departure from the James Bond franchise, other actors linked to the role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, Regé-Jean Page, Tom Hardy, and James Norton.
Although fans are eager to learn who will step into the James Bond role next, producer Barbara Broccoli previously explained that casting 007 is a complicated process. A lot of thought goes into an entire era of movies before actors are even considered. Once that is figured out, only then does the studio begin searching for the “right person.”
The James Bond film series, which began in 1962 with Dr. No, is one of the most successful and iconic franchises in history. The movies are famous for their fast-paced action, exotic locations, high-tech gadgets, and unforgettable villains. Actors who have portrayed the British superspy include Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
George Lazenby played the character in just one film – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Over the years, the James Bond movies have had a significant impact on popular culture. They have influenced the spy genre in film, television, fashion, music, and even the automotive industry.
The franchise has also been praised for its ability to adapt to changing times (namely, scrapping its extremely sexist angle) and continue to appeal to audiences across generations. It will be interesting to see which actor gets to lead the next era of James Bond.
