Alright, let’s get something straight right now: Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) is NOT the next James Bond. So let’s all stop saying that and confusing people, shall we? Good. The truth? The British actress is, in fact, joining Daniel Craig in the 25th film of the famed Ian Fleming franchise, not replacing him.  

Lashana Lynch; James Bond
Lashana Lynch attends a Captain Marvel event earlier this year. (Image credit unknown.)

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can discuss the truth behind casting Lynch in latest James Bond production. James Bond is still alive and well. If you recall, James rode off into the proverbial sunset with love interest Madeline (Léa Seydoux) at the conclusion of Spectre. James has and remains retired, and deservedly so, when the next film begins. Enter Lashana Lynch.

Lashana Lynch is not the next “James Bond”

While she may not be the next Bond, she will, however, be the next 007. According to the Daily Mail (citing a “movie insider”), the next movie will have a scene early on in which “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….”

A quick perusal of the Internet will tell you that fan reaction to this revelation is mixed at best. For many, the name James Bond has always been synonymous with the moniker “007”.  Although… The man portraying Bond has changed multiple times in the franchise’s history. (We’ll leave the “best Bond” debate for another article.) Lashana Lynch is not James. She’s an MI6 agent who happens to now bear the designation of 007.

Bringing Bond in line with the times

Lashana Lynch; James Bond
‘Bond 25’ moves from November 9, 2019 to a Valentine’s Day release, February 14, 2020.

Fueling allegations that changing 007 from a white man to a black woman is a “social justice” PR move is the addition of writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Solo: A Star Wars Story) to the production.  Most know Waller-Bridge for her feminist/social justice stance, illustrated by her portrayal of the justice-for-droids-seeking L3-38 in the aforementioned Solo. She has joined the Bond franchise to help it change with the times. Lashana Lynch is part of that effort. When asked if James Bond was still relevant, Waller-Bridge responded:

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. [James] doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to his character.”

So there you have it folks. Bond is still Bond. Lashana Lynch is 007. Any questions?

Bond 25 opens on Valentine’s Day 2020.

Soure: Daily Mail UK