James Bond’s Casting Director Claims That The Younger Actors Lack The Gravitas And Mental Capacity To Play The Next 007 Roles
Debbie McWilliams, the casting director of the James Bond franchise, claimed that today’s young actors don’t have what it takes for the highly-coveted role of Agent 007. She clearly stated that today’s male stars don’t have the required mental capacity for it.
The director, who has snapped up the stars for the James Bond movies since 1981, was honest about up-and-coming actors, hopeful to be the new agent.
Unfortunately, all the younger actors need more gravitas and experience whenever they audition for the role. And this is a sad reality because it might mean that getting a new James Bond would have to take longer than expected.
While talking to Radio Times, Debbie said, “We did look at a lot of younger actors, and I just don’t think they had the gravitas, they didn’t have the experience, they didn’t have the mental capacity to take it on, because it’s not just the part they’re taking on, it’s a massive responsibility.”
She also revealed that she and her team already gave up on the idea, and everyone went back to the drawing board and back to square one.
Daniel Craig was the last 007, a role he repeated in 2009’s Quantum of Solace, 2012’s Skyfall, 2015’s Spectre, and the latest in 2021’s No Time to Die.
Daniel recently said goodbye to the iconic secret agent role, and speculations are rife on who will be the successor. Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor Johnson are some names being considered. Rege Jean-Page, Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, and James Norton are possible options.
Renowned bookmaker William Hill has his eyes set on Henry Cavill. On the other hand, Idris Elba has been very vocal in stating that he has no interest in being the new James Bond. The 50-year-old actor is best known in John Luther and has been long hyped as Daniel’s possible replacement.
The actor’s refusal was even portrayed in one scene of his movie, where he, playing John Luther, refused a martini—coincidentally James Bond’s favorite drink. This was seen as an open rejection, even to the slightest idea that he is being considered James Bond.
Idris thought that the particular scene was rather cheeky and discussed it with Neil Cross, the writer and creator of the show. Idris mentioned that he second-guessed Neil and asked him if it was really something they’d put in the film.
However, Idris was clear and insistent that the references in his movie about James Bond are not his attempt at an audition to be the next British spy. He candidly mentioned that he has been saying no for years.
There was even a point when he was asked if James Bond was a better character than Luther. He stated that Luther’s personality was as sexy, engaging, and visually pleasing as James Bond’s.
Another young actor being considered as the new agent is Lucien Laviscount, best known for his Emily In Paris role. He was being eyed by Barbara Broccoli, one of the James Bond bosses, last December.
