Who will play James Bond after Daniel Craig?

It’s tough to discuss You have no choice but to live., Eon Productions’ 25th James Bond film, without massive spoilers. There are some things that can fundamentally alter your view of the characters and the franchise. No, he doesn’t move to Seattle and start a grocery co-op, but it’s close.

We can confirm that Daniel Craig officially has resigned from the role of Zero07. As these films always promise, “James Bond Will Return” — but as who? It could be another white male. Eon can take a big gamble and cast an individual of color or a female. Or, will Eon continue to maintain their status quo by casting a man who is kinda like Daniel Craig.

On this week’s Galaxy Brains, special guest co-host Jon Gabrus and I are joined by comedian and Bond fan Paul F. Tompkins to discuss our love of the British superspy and speculate on who’s next in line to step into the Aston Martin DB5.

This conversation was edited as usual to make it less strange.

DaveThe next James Bond: Is it Kumail Nanjiani or James Bond?

Paul Let me repeat this. They’re never, ever going to let someone play James Bond who does not have a native British accent. They’re never going to let somebody who is not born in the United Kingdom ever play James Bond.

Jon That rule is my support. I don’t care about race, creed, color, gender, any of that. But I think you’ve got to have a native British accent. It’s the only rule. I’m with you on that.

Paul But see, I think it’s kind of unfair. We’ve had an English Superman. That’s fucked up.

Dave It always goes the other way, doesn’t it?

Paul It’s true.

Dave While I can understand your point and agree that James Bond should be British I also recognize the fact that George Lazenby hails from Australia. We know his accent is a death scream and he was Australian. I don’t have a problem with the Australian people. They accent, possibly as James Bond, is something that I find difficult. It just doesn’t work for me.

PaulDid he speak with an English accent, or a British accent?

Dave He did. James Bond would be proud to hear him speak English.

Paul My wife and I were saying this afterwards like, it can’t be Idris Elba. He’s already too old. You see it in the movies. Now you’ve got to get somebody who is 40 at the oldest.

John Hollywood 40 seems to me culturally 28.

Dave Daniel Craig was pulling his hair after. Spectre to the point where he was saying “I would rather slit my wrists than do another one of these movies.”

Jon Well, he’s straight up like, “the stunts are hard now.” And that’s the most relatable shit in the world! He’s like, “Dude, I just did Knives are OutIt was. I was sitting in his sweater and riffing with all the best actors of my generation.”

Dave You can see behind-the-scenes photos of Roger Moore in action Moonraker, he’d sit there smoking a cigar, eating a turkey sandwich. He doesn’t have to do anything.

Paul I think he’s in the background of some of the stunt scenes.

Jon “Well, that was the one set up we had money for.” Who do we want then? Who would we be stoked to see as James Bond if we’re following our own rules of British accents? Michaela Coel would make a great actress. I may destroy you

Paul WOW.

Dave Yes.

Jon My goal was to find someone surprising enough to make them look badass, but also British. I wanted to come up with someone that would inspire people to watch the film. So that’s where my brain landed.

Paul That’s the thing now is it has to be somebody that is a known quantity, like the days of “we did a nationwide talent search.” That’s over. It’s got to be somebody who makes you say, “Oh, I like that person.”

Jon I didn’t think of this until you said it before. The age has to be right because they’re signing on for 12 years of movies, maybe.

Dave And all the press, and you got to stay in shape, and you can’t be seen in sweatpants. There has been a lot of talk about Dev Patel. Dev Patel is an incredibly beautiful man. He is loved by everyone. Everyone finds him to have sexy, cool qualities. I don’t know if you guys saw The Green KnightHowever, that film was one in which he lived in gravitas and sexual attraction, wielding a sword and performing all of the cool stuff. His story would mean more to me than that of a Black James Bond. A South Asian James Bond would be a great idea. Due to British colonialism’s history. Dev Patel, I believe, would be amazing and be able do everything you need. It would also send a message to the UK.

Jon Dev Patel is pictured getting yoked and doing hand-to–hand combat training. You know, there’s going to be a ton of Instagram thirst and shit towards him — coming from yours truly as well.