In recent months or even years, it has become normal to recast specific roles, not only female roles but male ones too. Often these roles are not only recast on gender, but race also. We have seen these gender and race roles reversed in Battlestar Galactica with Starbuck, Prospero in The Tempest, Dr. Watson in Elementary, Jeryn Hogarth (or Jeri Hogarth) of Marvel’s Jessica Jones, The Ancient One in Doctor Strange, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville in I Am Legend, Nick Fury of The Avengers, Will Smith again as Agent J in Men in Black, and of course, M of the James Bond series. There are lots of roles that have changed over the years.

However, one that has stayed constant through sixty-six years, twenty-four movies (by Eon Productions), an animated series, a TV series, and a whole host of games has been James Bond. In the TV anthology series Climax! of the 1950’s, the character went a little American for a moment, however, it has remained a staple of the UK since Ian Fleming’s conception in 1953. Now it seems almost sixty-seven years on from the world’s introduction to the Queen’s personal bodyguard from the Russian’s, the monicker of “007” seems not only to be switching gender but race too.

It was first reported in the UK’s Daily Mail, a news organization even Wikipedia doesn’t trust, and has been picked up by several other news organizations afterward. The headline reads: “The black woman who will be the next 007: New James Bond film will feature British actress Lashana Lynch taking over the famous codename (but that doesn’t stop legendary agent trying to seduce her),” if I’m honest, a bit long, and a classic case of what’s called “Yellow journalism.”

My issues with The Daily Mail aside, they are reporting that the next movie, codenamed Bond 25, will feature Lashana Lynch. Lynch is most notably known for her role in Marvel’s Captain Marvel earlier this year. Though, If you don’t wish to know how Lynch is featured I’d suggest leaving now.

According to the Mail’s source, the scene that seals Bond’s fate is not with a bang or a love fest on the beach. The encounter comes with M’s lab being the backdrop, as M says “Come in 007.” This is the assumed moment that Ms. Lynch walks into the room; taking the monicker from Bond himself. However, that doesn’t say that the James Bond series is now led by a black or white woman.

All we know so far is the production details and this supposed leak. We do know that director Cary Joji Fukunaga is quoted as saying, “As for my PS4 relationship, if my RDR2 progress is any indication, it’s been stunted at 63 percent for months and if anyone spoils the end for me before I wrap on B25 I’m going to be pissed.” Seemingly saying he’s waiting with bated breath for this movie to wrap. However, he is not the only one that may be wishing for the movie to end. Daniel Craig, the actor leaving the bond role, last month was sporting a “moon boot” after spraining his ankle.

However, it seems Bond is not only changing actor, but also generation too. One of the co-writers, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is quoted in the Daily Mail’s piece when asked about the series evolving, “I think that’s b******s. 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.” Though when speaking about Lynch’s role, “It’s a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond but he’s been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman.”

While it is unclear how Lynch’s 007 will be cohabiting with whomever is the new Bond; we do know one thing. The term “Bond Girls,” has been replaced. Any new reference is now to be “Bond Women,” according to the Mail’s source.

Bond 25 is expected to release in theaters this coming April, however, filming was still going on in Port Antonio, Jamaica in April. We also know that Bond will be returning to his beloved Aston Martin – with a V8 Vantage, a DB5, and the new Valhalla too.

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