Lashana Lynch made waves earlier this year when news leaked that she was bound to assume the codename of “007” in the upcoming James Bond film, the 25th in the franchise. And after months of silence, the English actress is making a statement.
News prematurely broke in July about a rumored plot line for the next Daniel Craig-starring vehicle, “No Time to Die.” It was said that Lynch’s character is not Bond but takes over the MI6 agent’s code name after the British secret agent is effectively retired. Following that news, a barrage of negative responses ensued, with many declaring the franchise effectively over on Twitter. Some also skewed racist.
Having remained silent, Lynch is now speaking out about her feelings on the matter and sharing with The Hollywood Reporter about how she responded.
“It doesn’t dishearten me. It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions, they’re not even from a mean place — they’re actually from a sad place,” said Lynch, who did not confirm the plot rumor to THR. “It’s not about me. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life.”
But while this is the first time Lynch has spoken out to the public, she has responded directly with her naysayers online, electing to kill them with kindness.
“Then they’ve been like, ‘Oh my gosh, thank you so much!’ But it’s an interesting test because it reminds them that they definitely wouldn’t say that to someone’s face,” she recalls of the response to her messages. Going forward, however, Lynch will pull back from feeding the trolls.
Trolls or not, though, there are some people who have expressed major excitement for Lynch’s character.
“I’m soooooooo excited!! Congratulations! ❤”
“When the rumors of Idris Elba being a James Bond first came out, I was very excited. However, with Lashana Lynch rumored to take the 007 roll… all I can say is ‘Shut up and take my money!'”
“Slay, grrrrrl! I’m so excited for this movie!!!! 💣💥”
The film, which bows in theaters on April 8, 2020, will not only see change by introducing a Black female 007, but the Bond girls as a whole will be portrayed in a new light.
“Bond, of course, is sexually attracted to the new female 007 and tries his usual seduction tricks, but is baffled when they don’t work on a brilliant, young black woman who basically rolls her eyes at him and has no interest in jumping into his bed. Well, certainly not at the beginning,” a source told The Daily Mail this summer about the alleged plot.
