Greta Gerwig, the director of Barbie, has suggested that one of the film's actors, Kingsley Ben-Adir, would be a perfect fit for the next James Bond movie. Although Ryan Gosling played Ken in Barbie, it was Ben-Adir's performance and ability to captivate audiences that impressed Gerwig. In an interview with Variety, Gerwig expressed her admiration for Ben-Adir and his potential as the next 007. She was so impressed that she exclaimed, "Everybody's jaws dropped. I was like, get this footage to whoever is making James Bond immediately." Ben-Adir has already made a name for himself in the film industry.
He was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and won the Breakthrough Actor award at the Gotham Awards in the same year. He has showcased his versatility as an actor with his roles in The OA, Peaky Blinders, and his acclaimed portrayal of Malcolm X in One Night in Miami... before starring as Ken in Barbie. With such a range of roles under his belt, Ben-Adir is not only capable of tackling different characters but is also recognizable to a wide audience. Therefore, his casting as James Bond is sure to attract viewers eager to see him take on the iconic role. Furthermore, Ben-Adir already has experience with espionage stories.
In addition to Barbie, he caught audiences' attention in the 2023 Disney+ miniseries Secret Invasion. This series, centered around espionage and plots involving Nick Fury and shape-shifting Skrulls, saw Ben-Adir play the role of Gravik, a disillusioned former Skrull agent with plans to infiltrate Earth's leadership. His performance in Secret Invasion provided him with valuable experience in the spy genre, and playing James Bond would allow him to further explore this type of role and subvert his Marvel character. The success of Barbie, along with its incredible cast, has made it a standout hit among 2023's releases.
Audiences have been engaged and moved by the film, and they are eager to see what Ben-Adir and his fellow actors will do next. Ben-Adir is set to impress audiences in the upcoming film Bob Marley: One Love, further solidifying his reputation as a talented actor. While the future direction of the James Bond franchise remains uncertain following Daniel Craig's departure, Gerwig's suggestion of Ben-Adir as the next 007 could provide the producers with the solution they need. For now, viewers can stream Daniel Craig's James Bond saga on Prime Video and rent or purchase Barbie on various Video on Demand platforms. The film is also set to be released on HBO Max in the fall of 2023. Source: Variety
