The search for the next 007 has been on ever since Daniel Craig announced in August 2017 he would be retiring from the James Bond franchise after one final film. Many people wanted Idris Elba to suit up — a move that would make him the first man of color to play the iconic role — while others were thinking it’s time for a female James Bond (perhaps played by Gillian Anderson, who is here for the role should it be offered to her). On Monday, however, the film editor of Spectre threw a completely unexpected name into the ring: Harry Styles, as in the 23-year-old former One Direction member and recent star of Dunkirk.
“Harry could do it,” editor Lee Smith told The Daily Star. “If they wanted a younger Bond then why not? He has got it.” While this is just a suggestion, the casting choice isn’t entirely implausible. After all, director Christopher Nolan, who worked with Harry on Dunkirk, is in talks to direct the next James Bond movie.
But even though everything about the future of the James Bond franchise is in very early stages, the Internet wasted no time letting its thoughts be known. As with any controversial decision, Twitter seemed to be split firmly down the middle. Some Twitter users were definitely not feeling it, while apparent Harry super-fan @sigofthetimes suggested we compromise by casting Idris Elba as James Bond but with Harry as Q. Still others were in love with the idea, with Twitter user @thesouthernlife even saying this casting choice could lead them to watch their first James Bond film.
While having Harry play James Bond would certainly further a young star’s burgeoning film career and help him fully cross over into the movie industry, it would be a missed opportunity to not cast a woman and/or a person of colour in the role. ( ¿Por que no los dos?) Popular 007 choice Idris Elba isn’t particularly interested in taking on the role, but he does think it’s time to do something “different” with the role. “Are we interested in having a Bond character other than being a male?” he asked Variety at the Sundance Film Festival. “Could be a woman, could be a black woman, could be a white woman, but I think, that character, everybody would like to see it have — do something different with it, why not?”
Someone like, say, Taraji P. Henson? Having just played a hitwoman in Proud Mary, she definitely has the acting chops and the suave stylishness to be the perfect 007. And we’re forgetting another singer who’s continuing to take over Hollywood — and in an all-women reboot of a traditionally male-dominated franchise, no less. Maybe it’s time for Rihanna to take her sharp-shooting, fast-driving ways from music videos to the big screen. Now that would be a reason to watch a James Bond movie.
if harry styles were the next james bond, i’d start watching james bond films 🤷🏼♂️
— jess (@thesouthernlife) January 21, 2018
‘Harry Styles could be the next James Bond!’
Me: pic.twitter.com/CaSGz9bJ8z
— Phil (@PhilSpencer3) January 22, 2018
Idris Elba should be the next Bond I’ll take Harry as Q
— rose (@sigofthetimes) January 21, 2018
Harry Styles as James Bond just doesn’t settle with me 😑
— JAKE DONLAN (@YESLADJAKE) January 22, 2018
I keep seeing articles about Harry potentially playing James Bond in the future. I don’t know if this is remotely true but COME ON LOOK AT THIS MAN he could be Bond any day pic.twitter.com/0Tw22brLaH
— Mandy (@onlyangelamanda) January 22, 2018
Taken from Teen Vogue. Click here to read the original.
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