Since the dust has settled on the last entry in the Daniel Craig era of 007, No time to die (2021), there is a lot of buzz about who will step into the shoes of the legendary superspy James Bond. While there have been many household names such as Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, Regé-Jean Page, Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Sam Heughan, Jamie Dornan and Idris Elba, word has come that the producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson , will probably go with an unknown actor.
This is a crucial idea for the future of the series, as it’s best to start over with a Bond with no baggage, and one that’s younger than the last few 007s were when they started.
Producer Wilson told: Deadline:
“We’ve tried in the past to look at younger people, but trying to imagine that doesn’t work. Remember, Bond is already a veteran. He has some experience. He is someone who has lived through the wars, so to speak. He probably was in the SAS or something. He’s not a high school kid that you can bring in and start. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”
Bond from the start
Looking back at Bond’s history on the big screen, dating back to 1962, the first actor to be cast in the role, the late, great Sean Conneryhad been in many movies and TV productions since he began his career in 1954, but was still relatively unknown when he debuted his classic introduction, “Bond, James, Bond,” at a poker table while lighting a cigarette in dr. No.
Connery, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 90, was only 32 years old when he started his tenor as 007. After six entries after his first foray – From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You only live twice (1967), Diamonds are forever (1971), and never say never again (1983) – Connery left the franchise at age 52.
Funnily enough, Roger Moore was older than Connery, who was 41 years old Diamonds are foreverwhen Moore began his reign in the role when he was 45 when he starred in Live and let die (1973). Moore was also quite recognizable when he starred as Simon Templar in the British TV series, The Saint for six seasons. He also had notable roles in popular programs, Ivanoe, Independent thinking personand the Alaskans. Moore played Bond in The man with the golden gun (1974), The spy who loved me (1977), moonraker (1979), Just for your eyes (1981), octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985), ending his time as 007 at age 57.
The odd Bond-out is George Lazenby, whose only part in the role was between the Connery episodes, You only live twice and Diamonds are foreverin About Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). He was the definitive unknown who scored the role of the international super spy as a model at the age of 29, as he had never played in TV or movies before.
While Lazenby’s single entry wasn’t as successful as Connery’s turn as a secret agent, it was still one of the highest-grossing films of 1969, proving that a solid story, powerful production, and a well-directed cast can deliver the packaging for a unknown to take over and establish himself as Bond.
Despite many roles in TV and film, Timothy Dalton was also little known when he was cast as 007 at the age of 41 in The Living Daylights in 1987. Dalton played the part in only one subsequent entry, Permission to kill (1989). The series had its longest hiatus in over five years when Pierce Brosnan took over at the age of 42. for four movies – Golden Eye (1995), Tomorrow never dies (1997), The world is not enough (1999), and Die another day (2002).
This brings us to Craig, also not a household name until his casting, who entered the series at the age of 38 with Casino royale (2005). He followed that with Quantum of Solace (2008), skyfall (2012), Ghost (2015), and No time to die (2021) and made his departure at the age of 54.
Craig’s tenure should set the standard for future Bond casting. He went from being a respectable acting actor into over 20 films, only reaching A-list stardom when he landed the role of a lifetime as the world’s greatest super spy. Being in his late thirties and finishing just before he was in his mid-50s was also ideal because he was neither too young nor too old either way.
Back to basics with a fresh face like 007
An unknown actor in his mid-to-late 30s is who Broccoli and Wilson should set their sights on with the sharp aim of Bond’s gun-barreled opening shot. An established star like Hardy, Cavill or even Elba would be wrong as Bond, as they are both too old and too famous for a true rebirth of the character after Craig’s climatic swan song. A true reboot should go back to basics with a fresh face and vision. The curiosity around a newbie would be huge and would spark another resurgence in popularity in the long-running, incredibly profitable franchise.
Connery, Lazenby, Dalton and Craig were arguably unknown when they first strapped on Bond’s Walther PPK, first shaken, drank unstirred vodka martini and saved the world. Moore and Brosnan were established stars when they first donned a tuxedo for their debut. When it comes to being the best Bond, the success rate of the unknowns speaks for itself.