Jeffery Archer slams ‘woke’ editing of James Bond novels
It’s been 18 years since the last round of secret James Bond auditions took place. In 2005, Daniel Craig beat runner-up Henry Cavill to be Pierce Brosnan’s replacement as the new 007 in Casino Royale. As is tradition, the lucky few who had a screen test acted out a scene from the new movie and also one in 1963’s From Russia with Love.
The scene in question was when Sean Connery approaches a Bond girl in bed while wearing only a towel and brandishing a gun. No doubt those in the running to be the seventh official 007 will be acting out the same moment on some secluded soundstage at some point this year if they haven’t already.
Little is known about what EON Productions have planned, although producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have dropped a few small hints. Craig’s replacement will be male (of any ethnicity) and they’re focusing on actors in their thirties. The outgoing star was 37 when he was cast, while Cavill was in his early twenties. And now Bond’s casting director has shared why younger actors have failed in 007 auditions in the past.
Speaking with Radio Times, Debbie McWilliams, who has been Casting Director on the 007 franchise since 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, took her mind back to Casino Royale.
She said: “When we started, it was a slightly different feel. 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. So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started again.” This isn’t too surprising given what Wilson has said about casting the new 007.
Speaking with Deadline last year, Wilson said: “We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn’t work. Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”
Ultimately, McWilliams confessed that ultimately the next Bond will be “who’s best for the part”.
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