'James Bond has got to be British': Roger Moore's son Geoffrey admits it's 'ridiculous' to consider an American playing 007
Sir Roger Moore's son Geoffrey has admitted it would be 'ridiculous' for an American to fill 007's shoes when the next actor is cast in the iconic role.
Geoffrey - also known as Jaffa - weighed into the debate over who will become the next James Bond after Daniel Craig's departure from the franchise, claiming he 'has to be British'.
When asked if the role could be played by an American, Jaffa, 57, told the Express: 'I mean, there's a lot of talent out there, but he has to be English'.
'It's ridiculous to consider Bond being an American', he added.
Continuing his argument, he said: 'You know, even if he's got a flawless accent, he's got to be British. It is an English franchise.
Opinionated: Sir Roger Moore 's son Geoffrey has admitted it would be 'ridiculous' for an American to fill 007's shoes when the next actor is cast in the iconic role
He added: 'It's butterscotch and red telephone boxes and "His Majesty the King".'
Despite his argument, the appointment of an American to play the role would not be the first time an American has portrayed the famous spy.
Though Sean Connery was the first person to play the character in the 1962 movie Dr. No and was the original Bond in the films made by Eon Productions, American actor Barry Nelson was cast as the super spy in the 1954 television adaptation of Ian Fleming's novel Casino Royale.
Currently though, all the actors tipped to reprise the coveted role are all British.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is currently the most favoured to replace Daniel Craig, according to lead bookmaker Coral.
An insider told the Sun in May: 'Aaron went for a screen test to be the next Bond in September and producers and Barbara loved him. He is now one of the front-runners.'
Behind Aaron, 32, in the odds are James Norton at 5-2, Henry Cavill at 3-1 and Tom Hardy and Richard Madden at 7-1.
The Bond speculation comes after Aaron reportedly had a secret audition for the role.
'It's ridiculous!': Geoffrey - also known as Jaffa - weighed into the debate over who will become the next James bond after Daniel Craig 's departure from the franchise, claiming he 'has to be British'
Icon: When asked if the role could be played by an American, Jaffa, 57, told the Express : 'I mean, there's a lot of talent out there, but he has to be English' (pictured Sir Roger Moore)
Not the first: Though Sean Connery was the first person to play the character in the films made by Eon Productions, American actor Barry Nelson was cast as the super spy in the 1954 television adaptation of Ian Fleming's novel Casino Royale (Connery pictured as Bond in 1966)
According to Puck New, Aaron sat down with producer Barbara Broccoli and sources claimed the meeting went 'very well'.
In December, it was also reported that Aaron had shot scenes as the secret agent, filming the memorable 'gun barrel teaser footage' seen in the films over the years.
A source told The Sun at the time: 'Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise's famous gun barrel teaser scenes, something all the actors do. That move takes him a step closer to signing a deal.'
They added: 'Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films.'
However, the source went on to say that nothing was officially confirmed and it's unclear what any next steps might be.
Meanwhile, other fans have been rooting for Henry Cavill, 40, to star as Bond - as he was previously considered and hope for a better outcome this time.
According to the Mail On Sunday, Barbara has made it clear she wanted the next actor to portray the character for 15 years, meaning that the 30-year-old is the perfect age to step into the role.
The two British heartthrobs have been contending for the win - but there's one new star that joined the odd race for the 007 franchise.
Emmy nominee Paapa Essiedu, 32, is said to be the third most-voted choice for James Bond - as he threatens their lead.
Despite the possibility that Aaron could be in the running for James Bond, he has previously played down the rumours.
Speaking to Vanity Fair in February, he said: 'It’s flattering. You can have something really positive [written about you], but you can also have something really negative that can circulate.
007? Aaron Taylor-Johnson is said to be 'tipped to become the next James Bond' after impressing film execs during a screen test
Mr Bond, is that you? James Norton became a fan favourite in Happy Valley and is now in the running to be Bond, with odds of 5-2, just behind Aaron according to lead bookmaker Coral
In the running: Tom Hardy is also in the line-up to become the new Bond, with his odds currently at 7-1
Could it be you? Richard Madden is also on the list of runners and riders to be the new Bond, currently with the same odds as Tom, 7-1
'You just want to stay in your lane, stay grounded, stay around the people that you love and love you back, and stay in that world. Because the moment you start believing the s**t people say about you, you’ve lost your f*****g mind. You’ve lost it.'
It comes after Geoffrey also admitted he believes only a man should fill 007's shoes.
When asked if the role should be played by a woman, Jaffa, said: 'Well, then it's no longer James Bond. I mean, she could be 006, 008, or 009…'
Lashana Lynch's character Nomi was handed the 007 codename during the last film when Craig's Bond left MI6 and went off grid.
However Jaffa admitted he thought the move may have caused 'confusion' for audiences watching No Time To Die.
He explained: 'In the last Bond I think this was the confusion. That she [Nomi] was 007 and then said, 'I've got to give it back to Bond. It's his number.'
Jaffa went on to say that he would approve a female version of Bond if was a separate franchise to the 007 series.
He said: 'Maybe there will be a 'From the filmmakers of James Bond comes Jane or Jemima Bond' or whatever.'
The restaurateur added that women have successfully portrayed spies in the past, noting that Charlize Theron 'pulled off' her role in Atomic Blonde.
But doubling down on his original stance he said that it wouldn't be the same because '[Ian] Fleming's Bond', should be played by a man.
In an interview with Radio Times in 2021, Daniel revealed why he also thinks a female actress shouldn't replace him as Bond.
He insisted the part shouldn't be played by a female actress because they deserve their own roles that haven't been written for men.
Amid calls for the next 007 to be played by a woman, the actor, who is retiring from the role following the upcoming No Time To Die, stated that rather than cast them in male roles there should 'simply be better parts for women.'
Daniel joined multiple stars who have spoken against Bond being played by a woman, including the franchise's producer Barbara Broccoli.
The actor said: 'There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour.
'Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?'
He said the addition of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge to the writing team was to 'spice it up' but she was a Bond fan so 'she wasn't about to take him in a different direction'.
Progress: Lashana Lynch's character Nomi was handed the 007 codename during the last film when Craig's Bond left MI6 and went off grid. However Jaffa admitted he thought the move may have caused 'confusion' for audiences watching No Time To Die
Same vein: In an interview with Radio Times in 2021, Daniel revealed why he also thinks a female actress shouldn't replace him as Bond, insisting the part shouldn't be played by a female actress because they deserve their own roles that haven't been written for men
Multiple actresses have supported Daniel's statement that Bond should be played by a male actor, including Die Another Day star Halle Berry, who said on Entertainment Tonight in 2017: 'That series is steeped in history... you know, Ian Fleming's stories. I don't think you can change Bond to a woman.'
Producer Barbara also said on Good Morning Britain in 2019: 'We have to make movies about women and women's stories but we have to create female characters and not just for a gimmick turn a male character into a woman.'
No Time To Die saw the introduction of the first female 00 agent, played by Lashana, which sparked calls for the next Bond to be played by a woman.
