Next James Bond actor likely to be in his 30s
15-Apr-2023 • Bond 26
Speaking to RadioTimes.com this week, Debbie McWilliams – Casting Director on the 007 film series since 1981 – explained that while younger actors did try out for 2006's Casino Royale, none of them quite fit the bill.
"When we started, it was a slightly different feel," McWilliams said. "We did look at a lot of younger actors. and I just don't think they had the gravitas, they didn't have the experience, they didn't have the mental capacity to take it on, because it's not just the part they're taking on, it's a massive responsibility."
"So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started again."
"A certain audience had heard of Daniel Craig, but much more the kind of independent cinema audience. He hadn't done any huge commercial film at all, really – [2004 film] Layer Cake I suppose was the most popular, should we say, of the things he had done prior to Bond, but he wasn't a hugely well known actor."
McWilliams insisted that the next actor to take up the mantle of Ian Fleming's super spy would simply be "who's best for the part."
