James Bond franchise Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson say the search for the next person to play 007 is quietly rumbling on in the background.
Speaking with Variety, the pair say it’s still “early days” but there is one condition – whomever lands the role has to be in it for the long haul.
Asked about fan favorite candidate Idris Elba, Broccoli admits he may be past the time to do such a long commitment:
“We love Idris. The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off, and when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-12 year commitment. So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing?’ Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].”
Wilson adds that Craig was in his early 30s at the time of this casting. Broccoli says not that many will be ready for the long commitment:
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh yeah, it’d be fun to do one. Well. That ain’t gonna work… That’s why, when people go, ‘Oh, who are you going to get?’ it’s not just about casting an actor for a film. It’s about a reinvention, and ‘Where are we taking it? What do we want to do with the character?’ and then, once we figure that out, who’s the right person for that particular reinvention?
With [Craig], when we had the conversation at this very table about, you know, [whether he was] going to do it, he said, ‘Well, I’m going to do it. I really want to be a part of it, the whole thing.’ And he lived to regret that. But it’s a big commitment. It’s not just showing up for a couple of months of filming.”
Wilson and Broccoli say the remain committed to ensuring more fulfilling and richer roles for the female stars of the franchise which will continue in the next films.
