James Bond Director Has Age Recommendation For Next Lead

James Bond hasn’t found its next lead over three years after Daniel Craig exited the franchise. However, the James Bond director had something to say about the casting requirements.

James Bond is one of the most iconic and longest-running film series in history. The franchise based on the novels by Ian Fleming has already released a total of 27 movies. Six actors played the titular role over the years — Sean Connery (1962–1967, 1971, 1983), George Lazenby (1969), Roger Moore (1973–1985), Timothy Dalton (1987–1989), Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002), and Daniel Craig (2006–2021). Due to the franchise’s success, fans are always on the lookout for the next actor to portray the coveted role. Director Martin Campbell shared his thoughts about the casting and pointed out an additional requirement for the next lead.

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Campbell sat down for an interview with ScreenRant for his new movie Cleaner. During the chat, he was asked if there were any actors who previously auditioned for James Bond, which he believed would be good for the role this time. However, he didn’t think anyone would qualify because they were “all too old” by now. “No, they’re all too old. They’re all too old. You’ve got to realize that whoever plays Bond will be contracted for five movies, right?” Martin explained before sharing his preferred age for the actor to be the next lead. “So I think you have to have somebody in their thirties, 35, 36, if they’re going to see five films.”

Martin looked back at the previous castings and pointed out that leading multiple James Bond films would take years. So, it’s best to get an actor in their 30s. “I mean, look at Roger Moore, I think he was 56 or something by the time he finished his run. I didn’t know how old Pierce was, but they’re going to go on until their fifties, basically. So they always want to get somebody who will be able to do that many movies, and in order to do so, they have to get someone, I think, in their mid-thirties too,” he added. James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli reportedly only has two requirements for the next James Bond. She wanted the actor to be “a man” and “a Brit.” Martin’s age suggestion was an additional requirement.

While Martin’s reason for casting an actor in his mid-30s is reasonable, his statement for sure breaks the heart of those hoping to see Henry Cavill as the next lead because he is already in his 40s. The Man of Steel actor auditioned for the role in 2005. He was only 21 or 22 at the time and didn’t get the role because he was reportedly too young to be James Bond. However, he nearly got the role because Barbara’s last two choices were down to him and Craig. Per director Matthew Vaughn, Martin preferred Cavill, but Barbara favored Craig. Cavill’s James Bond audition video leaked 20 years later and in the clip, Martin could be heard complimenting The Witcher star’s audition, saying it was “tremendous.” “They decided you were too young and I probably shouldn’t have said that, but Broccoli [isn’t] that keen on me anyway, so what have I got to lose?” Vaughn told Cavill when they were promoting their movie Argylle in January 2024.

Hopefully, Martin and Barbara would reconsider Cavill this time because he nearly got the role two decades ago. If he was too young before, then now is probably his time. He is not too old to be the next James Bond, considering the casting history. Among the six actors to play James Bond, three were in their 40s when they landed the role. Moore was 45, Dalton was 40 and Brosnan was 41. However, if the film spans over a decade, as in Craig’s case, Cavill will be in his 50s by the time he films his last Bond movie. Regardless of age, Cavill has the build and talent to be the next face of the franchise.

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Source: ScreenRant