Regé-Jean Page has finally addressed the rumours that he’ll be replacing Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Speculation has been growing in intensity around the closely guarded plans for the return of Bond, from who will direct the film to who will sing the theme song.
The biggest question on everyone’s minds is who will be donning a tux and fighting bad guys as the iconic character, with names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal, and Jonathan Bailey being thrown around.
Page, who first reached heartthrob status after his role in the first season of Bridgerton, has been a fan favourite to take over the role.
Now, he’s finally acknowledged all of the speculation in a recent interview for his upcoming film Black Bag.
‘Its not something I’ve thought about very much,’ he told Entertainment Tonight of the rumours.
He explained: ‘I’m a bit of a racehorse; I focus intensely on what’s in front of me and then go back to the stables and go back to sleep.’
His co-star Marisa Abela (known for her role in the hit show Industry) was enthusiastic about the idea, chiming in: ‘I think we should nominate Rege!’
Although rumoured to have been up for the role himself, Page’s other co-star Michael Fassbender also recently endorsed the idea of Page as 007 at the Black Bag premiere.
He told US Weekly: ‘Well, I think Regé-Jean Page could be a frontrunner after this, to be honest. I think he’s fantastic. He’s got all the attributes. So, let’s wait and see.’
The sentiment was echoed by Naomie Harris, who is also in Black Bag and played Moneypenny in three of Daniel Craig’s Bond films (Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die).
She said: ‘I think Regé would be amazing. I’d love Regé to be the next James Bond. But who knows? I don’t know what’s going to happen.’
Speculation about the franchise’s future has only grown in recent weeks after Amazon Studio’s bombshell billion-dollar deal with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson put 007 in new hands.
Amazon acquired the rights to the 007 franchise through its parent studio Eon, founded in 1961, when it bought MGM in 2022 for $8.45billion (£6.69bn), duly forming its own studio.
Sharing the news producer Wilson, 83, said in a statement to the BBC: ‘With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects.
‘Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.’
Broccoli, 64, added: ‘My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli.
‘I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry.
‘With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.’
Previously, the duo revealed what they were looking for in the next James Bond, creative decisions that will presumably still be honoured as Amazon takes over.
‘It’s a big decision,’ Barbara, who is the daughter of famed Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, said of casting the next super spy.
They have confirmed that James Bond will be a man, after Lashana Lynch made history in 2021’s No Time to Die as the first Black female 007, Nomi.
The pair also revealed they are focusing on actors in their 30s, which could revitalise the franchise for a younger audience but rules out long-rumored Idris Elba, 52, and possibly Henry Cavill, 41.
While most of the actors being discussed as potential Bonds are white, the producers have said that this is not a given in what could be a historic casting move.
The big question is who is willing to sign up for at least a decade’s worth of films, following precedent set by Daniel’s 16-year tenure.
Whoever is cast is signing up not only for the long haul but also opens themselves up to a lot of fans with very strong opinions about the beloved franchise.
Barbara commented that even Daniel Craig faced ‘anti-Daniel nonsense’ when he was first announced.
‘Every time we cast a new actor, the films change. It’s the excitement of a new Bond, a new direction,’ Michael added. ‘Every one of these people who took on the role offered something new and different.’
Daniel finished his run as 007 in 2021 and despite early indications of a quick handover, fans are still in limbo over the future of Bond.
In June 2022, Barbara told Deadline: ‘There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond.
‘We’re reinventing who he is, and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.’
Could Regé-Jean Page be the answer to all of the big questions looming over the iconic franchise?
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