Captain Marvel star Lashana Lynch has reportedly been tapped to play the new 007 agent in the upcoming James Bond film. According to the Daily Mail, the 31-year-old actress will not be playing the character of James Bond, however, she will takeover the 007 code name. The still untitled film, which is the 25th in the series, will follow Lynch’s new 007 as she teams up with a retired James Bond for one final mission. Like his character, Daniel Craigwill reprise his role of James Bond one last time for the film.
The news dropped over the weekend, following years of speculation about who would take up the mantle after Craig retired. Fans of the long running film franchise have been vocal about wanting to see a black or female actor take up the mantle from Craig, so, this casting announcement has many even more excited for the newest installment.
The film starts with Bond retired from spy life and living in Jamaica. He’s called in for help, though, when a new crisis arises. “There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says ‘Come in 007’, and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman,” a source revealed to The Daily Mail. “It’s a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond, but he’s been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman.”
“This is a Bond for the modern era who will appeal to a younger generation while sticking true to what we all expect in a Bond film,” the insider continues. “There are spectacular chase sequences and fights, and Bond is still Bond but he’s having to learn to deal with the world of #MeToo.”
It’s believed this plot point was masterminded by Killing Eve and Fleabag writer/creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was brought on as a co-writer on the upcoming Bond film. Waller-Bridge has previously spoken about how she thinks the Bond franchise needs to change for the modern era, saying: “There’s been a lot of talk about whether or not Bond is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women. I think that’s bollocks. I think he’s absolutely relevant now. [The franchise] has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to his character.”
Bond 25 film is expected to hit theaters on April 8, 2020.
