Henry Golding Won’t Respond To James Bond Casting Rumors But Supports Non-White 007

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Henry Golding Won’t Respond To James Bond Casting Rumors But Supports Non-White 007

Henry Golding still won't comment on rumors that he's been approached as the next 007 for the popular James Bond franchise. These rumors come as No Time to Die ramps up for its November release, with Daniel Craig stating that he will bow out of the franchise once the 25th movie in the Bond film series has premiered.

Golding has had quite the career since he burst onto Hollywood's radar with his debut in Crazy Rich Asians. Golding played the handsome (and crazy rich) lead of Nick Young, who faces an uphill battle when bringing his fiancee home to meet his family. Since then, Golding has also teamed up with Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke for Last Christmas, where he played Tom, a restless soul, so to speak, who helps Kate (Clarke) get into the Christmas spirit. He appeared in A Simple Favor as well, where he played Sean, the husband of Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), who later mysteriously goes missing.

All in all, Golding's undeniable presence has led him to become Hollywood's newest sweetheart, although The Guardian reports that he's still staying quiet on rumors of a James Bond casting. When asked if anyone from the Bond team had spoken to him, Golding just laughed and said he wasn't "being drawn into this trap!"

Although Golding isn't commenting on his potential role in the 007 franchise, he did speak about the increased diversity needed in Hollywood, starting with whoever becomes the new James Bond. With Craig exiting the franchise, Golding stated that this was an "opportunity for change," and commented that James Bond now has the opportunity be re-imagined, whether he (or she) be "female, male, bi, gay, straight, trans, Asian, black, [or] Latina." It's clear that Golding is an advocate for a more modernized version of James Bond, although producers of the franchise don't quite share this sentiment, with producer Barbara Broccoli stating that Bond "can be of any color, but he is male." That being said, while some may not agree about changing up the character of James Bond, Golding's push for diversity in Hollywood is a breath of fresh air - and 007 producers could do well to take a leaf from his book.

While Henry Golding may not be confirmed to be the next James Bond (yet!), it's evident that he has an illustrious career ahead of him regardless. In addition, while his sentiment on keeping an open mind for future versions of James Bond isn't universally agreed upon, here's to hoping that Hollywood can come around sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, though, it's more than evident that Golding embodies all the key qualities fans love James Bond for, especially in his continuous steadfastness of speaking up for what's right.