I don't think it was about race at all, it was about charisma.
I even go further and say we would probally not have a Bond theatrical legacy, if it wasen't for Connery's decision to be an actor.
Oh yea, Rolex owes so much advertising dollars to the estate of Connery.
That iconic wrist shot sold millions of Oyster Subs.
I repair watches part time. There are guys who bring me their overpriced broken watch, and when we meet at the door, I would swear they were brought up watching Bond movies.
Most sub owners just want a working quality watch, but there are others that take on Connery's persona in little ways.
Kinda like the young guys who wanted to be fighter pilots after watching Top Gun, or be Bud in Urban Coyboy, or living Tony's life after watching Saturday Night Fever. Most of you are probally to young, but after Saturday Night Fever, America became disco dancers. After Urban Cowboy, Stock brokers were doing the two step, and had a slight accent overnight. It was funny. And yes--I bought a polyester shirt. And yes--I bought cowboy boots. I let it go though. I'm embarrassed even writing about it.
My point is certain charismatic actors are the reason certain films are great.
The color of America is changing, and there will be actors that out shine some of our greats.
(I am a total movie snob. I don't think Bond movies are magic. I do think Connery, and Travolta, had huge natural star power though. All my great movies were are in black, and white. I've noticed The Last Picture Show is on tv today. If you haven't seen it you must. Peter Bogdonovich captured a certain time in Texas brilliantly. All the actors did a phenomenal job. Billy is Timothy Bottons brother in real life. Have a good weekend guys.)
Bond movies come out a little more slowly than other series and they'll want their next Bond to be able to do at least 3-5 movies. Starting with an actor who is almost 50 just doesn't seem to fit that schedule, unfortunately.
Unless they're going to keep playing up the "I'm too old for this shit" angle, which was already starting to wear a little thin in Skyfall.
That said, my guess is that Bond's ultimate fate is to become M. Obviously an older actor would be appropriate in that case.
The next Bond is more likely to be Cavill, Madden or hell John Boyega (*previously said Winston Duke, but he's American) than Elba.
Like the MCU? Fast and Furious? (Hobbes and Shaw was a fantastically silly, wonderful, Bond adjacent film for what it’s worth) Nobody’s canceling anything!
- A Bond of color is probably an inevitability.
- Bond is usually incredibly incompetent and succeeds in spite of himself through sheer luck.
What’s the point of typing this out? When you write things like this do you think you’re going to convince anyone to change positions? Is it just to gain internet points? Imagine this as a response to your comment:
> You really need to stop watching MSNBC. It is poisoning your brain.
It’s like playing tennis.
I’m replying because this type of stuff is so tiresome. It’s hard enough to avoid on the rest of the Internet; please don’t bring it to HN.
With that said, I really don’t think anybody is actually threatened by Bond being a white man. Like, people have lives to live.
He also does have a cover in some films, like St John Smythe in A View to a Kill
I know it’s too valuable a franchise and Hollywood would rather reinvent it. But we can also just say goodbye to our problematic past and create new heroes or even find new figures from the past to celebrate. It is okay to let go of our attachment to these things.