Henry Golding Says Stepping Into James Bond’s Shoes Is “Every Actor’s Kind of Nightmare”

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For Henry Golding, playing the iconic character of James Bond might feel more like a dreadful prospect than a cherished opportunity.

At the Los Angeles premiere of “The Old Guard 2” this week, the actor expressed that it’s every performer’s worst fear: “[He] thinks that’s the case.” His remarks about the iconic film character were made following the announcement of Denis Villeneuve as the new director for the series, who is the first from Amazon MGM Studios to lead the franchise.

As a fan, I found myself pondering over this thought: “While it’s exciting to continue an established franchise, I can’t help but wish for something fresh too.” Golding expressed this idea as well, suggesting, “Why not introduce new agents or additional OO’s? To me, that would make the whole experience even more thrilling because there wouldn’t be the same constraints and expectations.

The actor from “Crazy Rich Asians” commented, “Perhaps I’m too sensitive. I’m not sure, but I believe I would enjoy it even more if there weren’t the heavy cultural expectations hanging overhead.

Since the announcement that Villeneuve is set to direct the next James Bond film, there’s been much discussion about who might play the lead character. At this point, it’s only confirmed that Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve’s artistic collaborator and spouse, will be an executive producer along with Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

My initial cinema experiences are associated with 007. From the very beginning, I watched James Bond movies alongside my father, starting with ‘Dr. No’ featuring Sean Connery. I’m an ardent Bond fan, and consider his world to be sacred ground. I aim to preserve this tradition while paving the way for future adventures.” Villeneuve shared this sentiment in a statement on Wednesday, expressing that taking on this task is both a significant responsibility and an exhilarating opportunity for him, as well as a great honor.

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2025-06-29 08:24