The Possibility of a Black James Bond: Jeffrey Wright Weighs In

Jeffrey Wright's Perspective

Former James Bond franchise actor Jeffrey Wright, who played Felix Leiter, comments on whether there could be a Black 007. Based on the acclaimed novels by author Ian Fleming, the role of Bond has now been played by seven actors (counting David Niven) across almost many decades.

James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) stoically aims his Walther PPK at an off-screen foe in a hotel room in Die Another Day

Now, as news on Bond 26 remains scarce, Wright shares his thoughts about the possibility of a Black 007 during a recent interview with Deadline. Although seven actors have now portrayed 007, all of them have been white, and Wright expresses an openness to see a Black star take on the role instead.

Check out the actor's full comment below: 'I mean, it’s feasible. They’re out there now. Those guys are out there now at the underbelly of all of this, yeah. So why not, if you find the right actor.'

Rumors and Contenders for the Next Bond

Before Craig even departed the role, rumors began to circulate regarding who could be next to don the tuxedo and drive the Aston Martin. Idris Elba has long been a popular choice for the role, and this would certainly suggest that there is now more of a willingness to see an actor who isn't white play the character.

Although it won't be clear who is officially in the running until producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson come out and say so, some of the actors widely considered to be contenders include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Regé-Jean Page, Henry Golding, James Norton, Paapa Essiedu, and Sam Heughan.

Others who may not top the betting charts but who are frequently fan-cast include Dev Patel, John Boyega, Tom Hiddleston, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, among others.

In an interview with The Guardian, No Time To Die star Lashana Lynch had the following to say about the next Bond casting: 'With Bond, it could be a man or woman. They could be white, black, Asian, mixed race. They could be young or old.'

Broccoli herself has said that 007 can be any race so long as he's British, meaning it's entirely possible that Craig's successor will be Black or some other ethnicity. With over two years having passed since No Time To Die, hopefully the future of James Bond will become clear over the next few months.

The Evolution of Bond Casting

Unlike the group of actors considered for 2006's Casino Royale, which includes Cavill, Sam Worthington, and Dougray Scott, the group of names above features far more diversity.

With rumors swirling about the next Bond, the conversation around a more diverse portrayal of the iconic character is gaining momentum. Broccoli herself has said that 007 can be any race so long as he's British, meaning it's entirely possible that Craig's successor will be Black or some other ethnicity.

With over two years having passed since No Time To Die, hopefully the future of James Bond will become clear over the next few months.