When one thinks of the iconic Barbie, James Bond isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind. Yet, the silver screen’s recent “Barbie” offering has inadvertently thrown a fresh name into the 007 ring – and it’s not who you’d expect.
Not Gosling, but…
While the 2023 Barbie film saw heartthrob Ryan Gosling charming as Ken, Greta Gerwig, the movie’s director, has her eyes on another talent from the ensemble for the role of the next James Bond. With Daniel Craig’s notable exit from the Bond franchise in “No Time To Die,” producers are on the lookout for a fresh face to embody Ian Fleming’s suave spy. And Gerwig believes she’s found the perfect match in none other than Kingsley Ben-Adir.
She recounts a particularly mesmerizing moment on the set of “Barbie,” when Ben-Adir’s portrayal had everyone’s attention. “Everybody’s jaws dropped. I was like, get this footage to whoever is making James Bond immediately,” Gerwig revealed in a chat with Variety.
Why Ben-Adir Could Be the Next Bond
Kingsley Ben-Adir isn’t a stranger to acclaim. The actor’s cabinet boasts of awards like the Gotham Awards’ Breakthrough Actor and the Atlantic Film Critics Circle’s Breakthrough Performer award. With his versatile performances in shows like “The OA” and “Peaky Blinders,” and a powerful portrayal of Malcolm X in “One Night in Miami…”, he’s shown his range as an actor. His foray as Ken in “Barbie” only cemented his position as an artist with a broad audience appeal.
But it’s not just his acting chops that make Ben-Adir a prime candidate for James Bond. Fans of the espionage genre will recall his spellbinding performance in Disney+’s “Secret Invasion” miniseries, where he played Gravik, a former Skrull agent with devious plans. The role, though antagonistic, equipped Ben-Adir with a familiarity with the genre, setting the stage for him to potentially step into the shoes of the world’s most famous spy.
The Path Ahead
It’s an exciting time for Kingsley Ben-Adir. The overwhelming success of “Barbie” in 2023 has set the stage for him, and the rest of the cast, to take on bigger and bolder roles. Ben-Adir’s upcoming portrayal of Bob Marley in the 2024 film “Bob Marley: One Love” is already garnering buzz.
While the Bond franchise faces a pivotal moment in its evolution post-Daniel Craig, it might just have found its next star, if Gerwig’s recommendation is anything to go by.
For fans eager to relive the Daniel Craig Bond era, “No Time To Die” is currently available for streaming on Prime Video. Meanwhile, “Barbie” enthusiasts can catch the movie on various VOD platforms, with a scheduled streaming release on Max in Fall 2023.
