Daniel Craig dodges a question regarding the potential for a gay incarnation ofJames Bondwhile promoting his new film,Queer. After actor Pierce Brosnan retired as Ian Fleming’s iconic British superspy, Craig became 007 in 2006 with the acclaimedCasino Royale. Craig starred in a total of fiveBondfilms, ultimately bidding farewell to the franchise with the explosiveending ofNo Time To Diein 2021.
During a press conference forQueer(viaTHR), his new collaboration with director Luca Guadagnino, a reporter asks Craig whether there could ever be a gay Bond. Before Craig has a chance to answer, Guadagnino offers up his own response, declaring that007’s ability to accomplish his mission is all that really mattersbefore shifting his answer to talk about Craig’s casting as Lee inQueer. Check out the director’s comment below, which includes praise for Craig:
“Guys, let’s be adults in the room for a second. There is no way around the fact that nobody would ever know what James Bond desires, period. The important thing is that he does his missions properly. Having said that, I have been an admirer of this gentleman for a long time. … I had this intuition that I suffocated within me because I’m pragmatic. You have to make movies; you cannot daydream.
“A gentleman that was in the [casting] room was really the one that was not pragmatic and said to me, ‘What about Daniel Craig?’ And I said, ‘I thought about him, but he’s never going to say yes.’ And he said to me, ‘Let’s ask.’ And he said yes. And the yes was a definitive yes, he’s one of the greatest actors. It’s a privilege to work with someone like him.”
Based on a 1965 novel by William S. Burroughs,Queerstars Craig as Lee, an American expat who becomes infatuated with a younger man in Mexico City.
What Guadagnino’s Response Means For The James Bond Franchise
A Gay Bond Seems Unlikely For Now
The firstBondbook was published in 1953 withCasino Royale, with the first movie in the franchise,Dr. No, coming nine years later. In every Fleming novel and all subsequent films, Bond has been a straight man, and his womanizer persona has been a major part of the character. Though Craig’s iteration of the character was evolved to be more appropriate in today’s cultural landscape, such as giving him more long-term love interests, Bond largely remains the same character he’s always been.
Daniel Craig’s Bond Was Still A Womanizer - But For A Different Reason
Daniel Craig’s James Bond was still a notorious womanizer like the 007s that came before him but for a very different and important reason.
With theannouncedBond 26on the horizon, franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has said that thenext 007 will be a “total reinvention.” There have been calls to introduce a Black Bond or a female Bond, butany major changes to the character at this point are likely to be controversial. While some popular Bond candidates are Black, such as Idris Elba and Regé-Jean Page, changing the character to a woman or re-imagining him as gay would likely be more divisive as that fundamentally changes the character.
TheNo Time To Diecastfeatured Lashana Lynch as the franchise’s first Black 007.
Our Take On Guadagnino’s Gay James Bond Comment
Bond’s Sexual Orientation Is Part Of A Larger Conversation
Guadagnino is right, of course, about Bond’s ability to accomplish his missions being more important than his sexual orientation. There’s no real storytelling reason why 007 couldn’t be a gay man, butsuch a decision can’t be divorced from a conversation about how much source material can be changed before an adaption becomes something else. Commercial considerations also play a role, and turning Bond into a gay man would likely have a negative impact on the film’s bottom line.
Ultimately, it seems unlikely that the character of Bond will become gay anytime soon. It’s far more likely that, while the character remains straight, a gay actor could be brought on to play the role. A lot remains unknown about theBondfranchise’s future, but his sexual orientation is sure to remain a divisive point.
Source:THR
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
