As the search continues for the next actor to play James Bond, series producer Michael G. Wilson recently shared some details at a London British Film Institute event offering an insight into the 007 selection process. Deadline was the first to report.
“We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn’t work,” Wilson said. “Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”
This insight may or may not then be grounds to potentially disqualify fan-favorite Idris Elba (The Wire), who is 50 as of this writing. But rather than making any assumptions or drawing conclusions from the team’s comments at the BFI event, Wilson later elaborated to Deadline that casting has not started, “No matter what others tell you.” Previously, Wilson said Elba is “great,” and co-producer Barbara Broccoli said “we love Idris.” But, it’s still unclear if Elba is in consideration–or who else might be.