James Bond producers say the next 007 must be willing to sign up for at least a decade for the “reinvention” of the role.
And that decision by franchise boss Barbara Broccoli would seem to indicate that front-runner for the role Idris Elba is too old at 50.
The Luther actor had recently appeared to rule himself out of the running in saying: “When I look in the mirror, I don’t see James Bond.”
But producer Michael G Wilson had claimed east London-born Elba was “great” to follow Daniel Craig as the spy.
Yet Ms Broccoli said: “We love Idris. The thing is, the decision is going to be a couple of years off.
“And when we cast Bond, it’s a 10 to 12-year commitment. So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that?’.”
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Wilson noted that it was difficult to encourage the Craig, now 54 and having starred in five Bond movies, to take on the gruelling undertaking in 2006, adding: “And he was in his 30s at the time.”
Ms Broccoli added: “It’s not just about casting an actor for a film, it’s about a reinvention.”
Asked if the qualities seen last year in No Time To Die with Bond as a family man would continue, she hinted they would go further.
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Ms Broccoli said: “It’s an evolution. Bond is evolving just as men are evolving.”
Bookies Ladbrokes now have Superman actor Henry Cavill, 39, at 2-1 to be the next 007 with Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page, 34, at 7-2, Venom hardman Tom Hardy, 45, at 4-1 and Oscar-winner Chiwetel Ejiofor, also 45, 13-2.
Producers are planning for 60th anniversary celebrations of the franchise next month, including a concert of The Sound of 007 at the Royal Albert Hall.
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