Bond 25 – Lashana Lynch as 007?

By Reggie's Take on July 14, 2019

New claims are being reported that the upcoming Bond 25 movie will introduce movie audiences to Lashana Lynch as the new 007.

According to a source for The Daily Mail, Bond 25 co-screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge has written a quote ‘popcorn-dropping moment’ where Lashana Lynch will be introduced as the new 007. Lashana Lynch, co-starred as fighter pilot Maria Rambeau with Brie Larson in Captain Marvel earlier this year

If you are a long time Bond fan you can take a deep breath. Lashana Lynch will play a brand new character that has taken over Bond’s number after Bond left MI6 at the end of Spectre. Bond 25 will find James Bond retired in Jamaica when M – played by Ralph Fiennes, calls Bond back out of desperation to deal with a new global crisis.

Lashana Lynch / Brie Larson / Marvel Studios 2019

The Daily Mail’s insider claims.
“There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says ‘Come in 007’, and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman. It’s a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond but he’s been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman. Bond, of course, is sexually attracted to the new female 007 and tries his usual seduction tricks, but is baffled when they don’t work on a brilliant, young black woman who basically rolls her eyes at him and has no interest in jumping into his bed. Well, certainly not at the beginning.”

The source for The Daily Mail also goes on to say.
“Lashana is absolutely brilliant and Phoebe’s script is as sharp and funny as you would expect. This Bond pays tribute to some of the earlier films with a lot of humour.”

The insider for The Daily Mail also claims that Bond will be attracted to the new 007, but shows no interest in his charms.

“Bond, of course, is sexually attracted to the new female 007 and tries his usual seduction tricks, but is baffled when they don’t work on a brilliant, young black woman who basically rolls her eyes at him and has no interest in jumping into his bed. Well, certainly not at the beginning.”

Bond 25 hits theaters on April 8, 2020.

Reggie’s Take:
Obviously you should take these claims being reported with some large grain of salt. If however they do prove to be true, it could shake up the long-running franchise, maybe.

I have no issues if Bond 25 does introduce Lashana Lynch as a new character with the 007 designation. We’re still going to see James Bond. Will he be given double O status? It really doesn’t matter as long as it makes sense for the story they are trying to tell. Although it would be a first to have a James Bond movie where Bond wasn’t actually a double O for the entire movie.

It’s no secret that Bond 25 will more then likely be Daniel Craig’s last time as Bond, but even if these claims The Daily Mail are reporting happen to be true it doesn’t necessarily mean long term changes to the franchise moving forward.

More then likely a new actor will be cast in the role of James Bond after Bond 25 has completed its theatrical run. It’s possible they could continue moving forward where Bond 25 leaves off. If they do does that mean changes will be coming to Bond? Not necessarily. It’s also just as likely that after they hire a new actor they will reset the Bond franchise in some way. It’s been done before and shouldn’t surprise any long time fan of the series.

What do you think of the idea of another character with the 007 designation? Would you be okay seeing a Bond movie where Bond is not 007 for majority of the movie or possibly not at all? Would love to know what your thoughts are.