After Daniel Craig opted not to return for another installment of “James Bond,” speculation immediately began as to who his successor could be. Lists were compiled of possible replacements, actors who had the charm and charisma to play Britain’s famous spy.
Actors of all ethnicities were picked, including Henry Golding. With films like “A Simple Favor,” The Gentlemen,” and, of course, “Crazy Rich Asians,” the dashing Brit had already proven himself to be a keen ladies’ man and action star.
Most recently, the extensive list has gotten quite a bit shorter. Variety reported that Amazon is looking to cast a twenty-something British actor, with Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, and Tom Holland topping the list. Some actors, such as 35-year-old Aaron Taylor-Johnson or 42-year-old Henry Cavill, may be disappointed. But it sounds like Golding may feel some relief.
Henry Golding Has Some Very Honest Thoughts About Playing James Bond
At the Los Angeles premiere of “The Old Guard 2,” Golding, who plays Tuah, had a few things to say. While he referred to co-star Charlize Theron as one of “the last of the movie stars,” he also had some thoughts on possibly playing James Bond.
“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,” Golding told People. “But at the same time, [you’re] also wanting to kind of add something new to a franchise. Why can’t they bring out more agents or more OO’s? I think that would be so much more fun, because there just isn’t the restraints and the expectation.”
“Maybe I’m just a [expletive],” he added. “I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure.”
The ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Star Would Love to be ‘008’
Golding’s recent comments aren’t that different from what he told the RadioTimes.com in May. While he referred to being part of the conversation as a “privilege,” he also seemed eager to be part of the world — but maybe not the star.
“Maybe not Bond, but somewhere in there,” he said. “Sign me up, 100 percent.”
He also felt keeping the character in line with writer Ian Fleming’s vision was important, which would also rule him out in the running.
“I don’t think it is important, I don’t think there should be a pressure to change the ethnicity of a character like Bond,” Golding said. “There’s plenty more characters in that universe to play and explore. 008 — eight for a lucky Chinese number, I don’t know,” he chuckled. “But I think sometimes it is good to keep…pay justice to the source material, and how Ian Fleming saw this idea of Bond.”
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