Is Lashana Lynch Playing Bond or 007 or Both or What?

Confused? We all are.

There has certainly been no lack of rumours surrounding the set of Bond 25. With Daniel Craig reprising his role as the super suave agent, the internet is already robustly debating who could fill those impeccably polished shoes next time around (with names like Richard Madden, Idris Elba and Rupert Friend getting thrown around).

Now, another rumour has emerged involving British actor Lashana Lynch, and thanks to some slightly misleading headlines, there has been some (okay, a lot) of confusion as to whether or not Lynch will be taking over from Daniel Craig as Bond in his latest adventure, or doing something else.

The answer is: doing something else. But if the rumours are true, that something else is playing the new 007.

According to (the sometimes dubious) Daily Mail, the film reportedly opens with a retired Bond (Craig) attempting to live a peaceful life in Jamaica. Unsurprisingly, he is called back from sipping Pina Coladas to fight a new villain (Rami Malek). But when he returns, Bond discovers that Lynch’s character has taken over as the new agent 007, following his exit from M16.

But, we repeat, she is not the new Bond. Of course, the complaints about a female 007 still rolled in…

I've always felt that a strong character, in fiction or reality, defines themselves based on their character, values, and actions.

in 007's case, this is taking a mans role and identity, assigning it to a woman and using it to define her. How is this in any way empowering?

— The Chad (@yusuku13) July 16, 2019

The Bond series is dead to me.

— TheGreatGravitate (@JuggernautofJoy) July 15, 2019

So, who is Lashana Lynch?

More like, who isn’t Lashana Lynch? Marvel fans would know Lynch for her fiery portrayal of Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel. She also played an Olympian hurdler in her first role in the film Fast Girls, proving that she is not afraid of the gruelling physical work that would be expected of agent 007.

Diversification! Rejoice!

While nothing has been confirmed at this point, this would undoubtedly be a win for women in Hollywood. In fact, the Daily Mail source described the big reveal of Lynch's 007 as being "a popcorn-dropping moment."

The source added, "There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says, 'Come in 007', and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman."

This step towards diversification may have arisen from Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge polishing the script; she is only the second female writer in the history of the franchise.

Yet still, certain segments of the internet are finding this casting decision a particularly tough pill to swallow, holding that the role of Bond should remain strictly male. This begs the question: Will there ever be a female Bond?

Some fans have also been hoping for a black Bond, with Elba suggested as Craig’s best successor. However, despite Elba’s supporters banding together, there are people who still believe Bond could never be black.

Bond people: maybe Idris Elba?

Dirtbags: James Bond can't be a BLACK MAN

Bond people: pic.twitter.com/eMkHDIRzKc

— Matt Koschak (@Matt_Koschak) July 15, 2019

Halle Bailey as Ariel. Lashana Lynch as 007. Racist white people are really having the worst life ever. May they continue to stay mad. pic.twitter.com/KfyMYw0RFz

— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) July 15, 2019

Bond 25 is set to be released in April 2020, though we are keeping our eyes and ears peeled for confirmation about Lynch’s role before then.

(Let’s be real though, we are all really waiting for Adele to come out with another belt-worthy tune for the soundtrack. This is probably the end for Daniel Craig, after all.)

Header Image: Sony Pictures & Disney