As the next iteration of the James Bond franchise comes together behind the scenes, the casting conversation will continue to heat up, but it goes without saying there’s a lot of people out there who refuse to look beyond Henry Cavill for the title role.
It makes complete sense when you think about it; he’s a lifelong fan of the globetrotting spy saga, he’s made it perfectly clear he’d love nothing more than to give the public what they want and report for duty, he’s as British as they come, looks impeccable in a tuxedo, and has a jawline that could cut glass.
And yet, the director of two all-time great 007 adventures – who almost cast Cavill himself – doesn’t think he’ll get the part. Speaking to The Express, GoldenEye and Casino Royale veteran Martin Campbell explained that time will be the former Superman star’s worst enemy, especially with Eon Productions looking to hire a leading man for the long-term.
“By the time Daniel got to No Time To Die really he was at an age where one more would have been too old for him. I think they sign on for three Bonds, I’m not absolutely 100 per cent certain of that. I know with Pierce he had to sign on to three when we did him. So that’s going to take, what, six years of your life maybe? I suspect Daniel [had] the same deal. And the next guy’s going to have to do that. … Henry’s 40, so by the time he’s done the third one he’s going to be 50 and anything beyond that’s two, three years per Bond. He’s in good shape Henry, he’s a good guy. He did very well in the audition, but ironically he was too young.”
As unfortunate as it sounds, Campbell is probably right. After all, Cavill is already 40, and we shouldn’t be expecting the next Bond epic for a good few years yet. The creative team supposedly has a 10-to-15 year plan in mind for the next incumbent of the Walther PPK, meaning the exiting Geralt of Rivia simply doesn’t fit the bill.