Daneil Craig as James Bond in “Spectre”; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions(NEW YORK) — The next actor to portray James Bond will be an unexpected candidate, according to recent 007 director Sam Mendes.
Speaking at the Hay festival to The Guardian, the British filmmaker, who directed the last two films in the Bond franchise, Skyfall and Spectre, said that the next director and actor chosen to helm the franchise will be decided by producer Barbara Broccoli and were likely to be unexpected choices. “I can guarantee whatever happens with it, it will not be what you expect. That’s what she [Broccoli] has been brilliant at, and that’s how it’ll survive.”
Mendes won’t be back to direct the next Bond film. “It’s time for somebody else,” he said. “I’m a storyteller and at the end of the day I want to make stories with new characters.”
It has been 10 years since actor Daniel Craig took over the role of the suave British secret agent in his debut, Casino Royale, which reignited the franchise. Actors Tom Hiddleston, Aidan Turner, Idris Elba, Damian Lewis and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell have all been rumored as possible replacements for the character.
Hiddleston was pictured meeting with executives linked to the Bond franchise.
Sean Connery launched the franchise in 1963 with Dr. No, appearing in six films in the series, and once in the Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again. Roger Moore has played Bond in seven films, Pierce Brosnan starred in four Bond films, Timothy Dalton played Bond twice and George Lazenby, once.
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