Unprecedented James Bond Spectacle: Witness All 6 Iconic Bonds Together in a Captivating Artistic Recreation of the Gun Barrel Opening

Summary

The iconic gun barrel opening from the James Bond series is recreated in classy new art featuring all six 007 actors.

The upcoming actor to portray James Bond will face the daunting task of living up to an impressive legacy. However, there is little likelihood for the casting to challenge traditional norms of race and gender diversity. The leading candidates for the role are predominantly white males, while non-white males and female actors are viewed as less likely options.

The iconic gun barrel opening of the James Bond series has been recreated in a classy new art piece featuring all six actors who have portrayed 007. Sean Connery, the first actor to play Ian Fleming's fictional secret agent, debuted in the role in 1963's Dr. No. Connery held the title of 007 until 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, when he passed the torch to George Lazenby. Connery returned for one final film before Roger Moore took over with 1973's Live and Let Die. Timothy Dalton succeeded Moore in 1987's The Living Daylights, followed by Pierce Brosnan in 1995's GoldenEye. The Daniel Craig era began in 2006's Casino Royale, but with his departure, the role of 007 is once again uncertain.

While the next James Bond actor remains unknown, the pressure to live up to the monumental legacy is evident. Audiences are reminded of this through a new art piece that brilliantly captures all six Bond stars in a recreation of the series' iconic gun barrel opening. Be sure to check out the impressive artwork below (via Mark Murphy):

Murphy’s artwork is available for purchase via his Etsy store ThunderSpyArt, along with plenty of cool merch.

The New James Bond Will Likely Not Break The Mold

Not only is the above artwork cool, but it also serves as a poignant reminder of the limited representation in James Bond casting throughout the years. While there may be an opportunity for this lack of diversity to be rectified in the selection of the next Bond, it is doubtful that the traditional expectations of the chosen actor's race and gender as 007 will be challenged.

The list of potential successors for the role of Bond is unsurprisingly dominated by white male actors such as Henry Cavill, Richard Madden, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and James Norton. The names most commonly mentioned as potential non-white male Bond actors, Regé-Jean Page and Idris Elba, are considered unlikely choices. Although Lashana Lynch briefly assumed the 007 title in "No Time to Die," female actors face even greater obstacles in taking on the role of Bond. The series producer, Barbara Broccoli, has made it clear that a female James Bond will never happen. Those hoping for a truly innovative approach to casting the most iconic secret agent in movie history should not hold their breath.