With the announcement of Daniel Craig’s retirement from the role of 007, much has been speculated about who will take the lead in the franchise. Many rumors pointed out that Lashana Lynch, cast for a key role in the new film in the saga, would be the successor to the title. In a new interview, the actress commented on the subject.
According to Lynch’s conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, via CB, her character in No Time to Die is indeed a 007 agent. According to the story, Nomi takes on the iconic role after James Bond is exiled, confirming several rumors that have emerged since the casting of the actress.
Lashana explained how her first interaction with the role was, further stating that she did not want something that would just put her “behind a man” in the feature:
“A character that is too slick, a cast-iron figure? That’s completely against what I stand for. I didn’t want to waste an opportunity when it came to what Nomi might represent. I searched for at least one moment in the script where Black audience members would nod their heads, tutting at the reality but glad to see their real life represented. In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 per cent authentic.”
According to the actress, she only accepted the job as Nomi after the director, Cary Fukunaga, explained the character better, that she would be a contrast to the iconic James Bond and would be on an equal footing with the spy in the feature.
Lynch also commented on the negative and abusive reception of her character and the possibility of her carrying the franchise after Daniel Craig left:
“I am one Black woman – if it were another Black woman cast in the role, it would have been the same conversation, she would have got the same attacks, the same abuse,” Lynch reinforced. “I just have to remind myself that the conversation is happening and that I’m a part of something that will be very, very revolutionary.”
Remember that there is a big difference between being the new 007 and the new James Bond. Even though Nomi is a 007 agent, this is a “position”, she is not the new James Bond. James Bond is a man, “and that is a scientific fact.” Unless they change it.
