If the rumors (highlighted for emphasis) are true, Bond 25 could set the James Bond series on a path similar to Logan.
Before we jump into what might be the biggest shift in regards to James Bond and the future of the series, let me once again reiterate that this nothing more than a rumor and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Remember, this is a rumor. Got it? Good, let’s get on with it.
In a recent post found on the James Bond subreddit (link here) a Redditor known as Cashley Persia, who claims to “work in the film industry and know people tangentially connected to the world of Bond”, has stated that director Danny Boyle (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, Shallow Grave) is committed to a script written by John Hodge (Trainspotting, The Beach, Shallow Grave) that could start a new era in the Bond universe.
According to the leaker/redditor’s main points are as follows:
“Supposedly, the big roles in the script are the female villain and Bond’s understudy (another female role). I hear Sophie Rundle, Lily James, Ella Purnell and Antonia Thomas have auditioned/met with Boyle (though this list is not exhaustive). The role is not a “love interest” however is the co-lead of the film. I’ve also heard that Boyle isn’t adverse to discovering a new name and possibly someone who isn’t an actress. Though it sounds like a moronic suggestion, I’ve heard the singer Dua Lipa is high on the list.
Finally, the main villain has been written with Angelina Jolie in mind. I’ve heard this name for a very long while. I never quite trusted it but Boyle has wanted her since day 1 and it looks as though she’s keen. They are now actively courting her and the script is being adjusted accordingly.
I’ve heard that the film is very British-based and the tone will be lighter than the last few movies. However, it is written as Craig’s final Bond film and I hear Logan being used as a comparison often still….”
While this certainly is big news if it turns out to be true, it also wouldn’t be something that hasn’t been done in the film industry before. For starters, many films have been shifting what are typically male dominated roles to female dominated ones. For example, Ocean’s 8 and the last Ghostbusters reboot are all involved in gender swapping.
On top of that, the critically acclaimed superhero film Logan set up Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to retire the claws and for a female lead to take over. Considering this is Daniel Craig’s last film as the one and only James Bond (despite the fact that the actor made it clear many times that he didn’t wish to continue playing the suave spy and womanizer anymore after Spectre, but that’s none of my business) having Craig’s Bond teach an upcoming female spy to step into Her Majesty’s Secret Service wouldn’t come as that much of a shock either.
Finally, this wouldn’t be the first time a Bond film had an actress portray the role of a Bond villain. The only difference here is that Angelina Jolie is a well known actress who has portrayed multiple villains across multiple films.
While this is certainly nothing more than a rumor at this time, it certainly can be seen as a welcoming shift in what the previous Bond films have been. Setting aside the critically acclaimed Skyfall and Daniel Craig’s first Bond film Casino Royale, the Bond franchise has slowly been heading south in terms of performance. Having an actress like Angelina Jolie play the main antagonist and having another rising actress like Lily James co-star alongside Daniel Craig not as a love interest but the next 007 might just be the breath of fresh air this series needs to not only survive, but to prosper.
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