I already know what you are going to do. You are both going to click on my identify to see what different “dangerous opinions” I may need. Or, you’re going to scroll all the way down to see my image, and sure, you’re proper. I’m Black. Congratulations!
That mentioned, the entire “Would you be okay if Black Panther was white?” argument actually doesn’t fly with me since I actually DO NOT CARE. As a result of I do not know if you recognize this or not, however Black Panther…is a character. He’s not MLK or some other historic Black determine. He’s from a Marvel comedian guide sequence, so I genuinely don’t care who performs him. So long as the story is sweet, I’ll hold an open thoughts.
Which is why the concept of a Black (or Asian, or Hispanic) James Bond does not twist my underwear right into a bunch. In reality, I really assume it could be an incredible concept for the long-running franchise, and I’ve a couple of explanation why.
Aaron Pierre Is One Rumored Title, However There Are Different Nice Selections, Too
Firstly, anyone who’s watched Insurgent Ridge can doubtless inform you that Aaron Pierre would make for an outstanding James Bond. Your eyes are simply drawn to him in each scene, and he can play cool and calm effortlessly, which is without doubt one of the most essential traits for any 007–Any person who’s debonair, but in addition has a killer’s eyes. Pierre may most likely play that function in his sleep.
Nevertheless, there are a number of different Black actors who I feel may fill within the tuxedo as nicely. Like, for instance, I do know the ship has most likely already sailed on Idris Elba (And even he felt that it was “much less of a praise” over time to be dreamcasted for the function), however to hell with all that. I nonetheless assume Elba could be the proper James Bond.
I imply, sure, he has a bit extra white in his beard now than he had years in the past when folks began petitioning for him to be Bond, however take a look at Sean Connery! Dude may need been 32 when he debuted in Dr. No, however he rattling nicely seemed like he was in his 40s, even again then. Hell, Roger Moore was 57 in A View to Kill! And Elba is simply 52. Couldn’t he nonetheless get one or two James Bond films in earlier than they gave it to someone else? I imply, if he had two, then that’d be another than George Lazenby.
Alright, alright. I do know. Whomever performs Bond subsequent will doubtless be in it for the lengthy haul, like most of the opposite Bond actors. Nicely, if that’s the case, then how about Rege-Jean Web page of Bridgerton fame? His work in The Grey Man and the current Black Bag reveals he has vary.
What about Kingsley Ben-Adir? He’s performed each Malcolm X AND Bob Marley in One Night time in Miami…, and Bob Marley: One Love, respectively. Is James Bond actually such a posh character {that a} man who can morph into two completely completely different historic figures couldn’t pull it off? And, I feel Aml Ameen would do an incredible job, too. He was great as MLK in Rustin. The purpose I’m making an attempt to make is, I feel it’s extra essential that whoever performs Bond subsequent be English, fairly than race being the difficulty. That mentioned…
This May Be The Alternative To Reveal That James Bond Is A Codename, And Not Simply A Individual
Now, I do know the 007 information is shifting at breakneck speeds (Like, Tom Holland is now a potential candidate). Nevertheless, I lean extra towards the subsequent Bond being Black since I would like Bond 26 to lastly be the film the place we be taught that James Bond is a codename, and not a single particular person.
Sure, I do know. James Bond is meant to be like Bruce Wayne or Peter Parker. In different phrases, although the character has been round for a number of a long time, it’s assumed that this is similar particular person in each story. That mentioned, not like the Batman or Spider-Man films, which stylistically change each time there’s a brand new particular person forged within the function, the James Bond films really feel like they’ve the identical elastic timeline as The Simpsons.
What I imply is, after I grew up watching the present, Marge and Homer have been youngsters within the ‘70s. However now, when my 9-year-old daughter watches it, Marge and Homer have been younger through the ‘90s. After all, that is to “get with the occasions,” however it feels much like after I watch a film like 1979’s Moonraker, which FEELS prefer it’s from the ‘70s, after which a movie like 2012’s Skyfall, which FEELS prefer it’s from the 2010s.
These two movies–and the Bonds who’re enjoying them, Roger Moore and Daniel Craig–couldn’t really feel any extra completely different! So, in my thoughts, these folks ARE completely different, and have at all times been completely different. I by no means may reconcile that Sean Connery and Roger Moore are speculated to be the identical particular person.
So, if there have been a Black Bond, there might be no different risk that James Bond is only a codename that anyone may take, fairly than being a single particular person. Sure, we must sort of neglect James Bond’s spouse’s existence (As a result of that appears to be the primary connective tissue to the concept James Bond is one particular person and never a codename), however does the final viewers actually need to know that? The concept there have been a number of James Bonds may even be part of the story. Come on. What do you say? Don’t you assume that would work?
The Franchise Has Been Getting A Little Stale With The Final Few Entries
Now, please don’t take this the fallacious method, however the James Bond franchise has been getting a little bit stale over the previous few years, and having one other white dude play the function sort of doesn’t appear to be that a lot of a leap.
Sure, Daniel Craig being a brutish James Bond was a HUGE distinction from Pierce Brosnan’s suave demeanor, however nonetheless! Aren’t we a little bit tired of the present idea of James Bond? I imply, by the point 2021’s No Time to Die got here out, the franchise felt prefer it had run out of so many concepts that the one potential answer was to only kill James Bond off. And, whereas I thought it was fairly cool to try this (And Ralph Fiennes agrees), I bear in mind folks being VERY upset on the time when it occurred.
Certain, it wasn’t the identical fervent hate that The Final Jedi acquired, however folks have been notably upset, and I get it. James Bond is TIMELESS. You don’t simply kill him off. Even so, Daniel Craig sort of ran his course as Bond, and the franchise normally simply feels prefer it wants an enormous injection of one thing contemporary.
And, I feel a Black actor might be that injection. As a result of although there are actually some parameters that James Bond wants to remain inside (Like, if you happen to deviate an excessive amount of, you primarily have a special character), I feel that having a Black Bond may make the character mechanically really feel completely different, which is essential.
As a result of look, I’m talking as a informal fan. I’ve seen virtually the entire films, however I’m not THE BIGGEST JAMES BOND FAN on the planet (That might most likely be my colleague, Mike Reyes). So, talking as an off-the-cuff fan who received’t simply see the subsequent Bond film simply as a result of it’s a Bond film, I would like one thing new and thrilling to make me need to see it, and I’m positive I’m not alone. Which brings me to my final level.
Lastly, James Bond, As A Franchise, Is Larger Than Simply Race
James Bond isn’t just a personality. It’s a franchise!
Sure, Ian Fleming’s books spawned the character. However the films have arguably made Bond larger than he ever was in guide kind, and he’s one of the crucial recognizable figures around the globe. That mentioned, James Bond, as a personality, is interchangeable, as we’ve seen a number of occasions over.
Right here’s what stays fixed, although: James Bond is a woman killer. He’s a undercover agent. He goes on missions. And he’s English (Except he’s Scottish). And, up up to now, he’s been white. However, does he HAVE to be white?
I do know lots of his most fervent followers will shout YES! However, this subsequent film isn’t essentially FOR Bond’s most fervent followers, as a result of actually, these folks will see the subsequent film regardless (Even when it’s simply to verify that it sucks).
No, this subsequent film must have broad attraction, because the character itself has broad attraction. And that is as a result of James Bond is a BRAND. He’s a film poster. He’s a theme music. And, a theme music is larger than any race.
However, what do you assume? I’d love to listen to your ideas! Even the damaging ones!