Is the Buzz Around a Black Female 007 Just a Publicity Stunt?

Given that this film was in development when it was all the rage to gender or race bend characters, it's certainly a strong possibility that the 007 franchise will follow suit. This film seems to be part of a trend where franchises are experimenting with casting choices to stir up excitement and generate buzz.

Gender and Race Bending: A Potential Disaster?

What piques my curiosity is whether the Bond franchise will really go through with this decision. Every single attempt at gender bending a franchise has ended up in a disaster: The Terminator, Ghostbusters, Star Wars, Dr. Who, and many more. The creative talent behind these transitions often lack the skills to make the change seamless and fulfilling for fans.

For instance, The Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles failed to capture the essence of The Terminator series, despite the original castings. Similarly, Ghostbusters attempted to modernize the franchise by reimagining it as a female-led team in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but the results were mixed at best.

A Publicity Move or a Serious Decision?

From my perspective, it appears to be a publicity move. James Bond has retired, and his 007 number will be assigned to a new agent. This agent could be male or female, white or black. The fact that they opted to make the new 007 both female and black, and issued her identity in a press release rather than keeping it as a surprise for the film, clearly points to their intention to generate as much publicity as possible.

However, I suspect that when the film comes out, there will be a lot of disappointment. She will likely just be another Bond girl, sorry, Bond woman—one of the tougher, more capable ones, but not signaling a new direction for the franchise.

Championing the Move

Some people support these moves, arguing that it's a step toward diversity and representation. Lashana Lynch, the actress cast as this new 007, is certainly no stranger to the industry, but she is not a natural choice for 007. Neither is Daniel Craig, who was initially controversial but ultimately became a fan favorite. However, her casting has stirred up a lot of public interest and speculation.

While this could be seen as a marketing ploy to generate buzz, there are already rumors that her death will be a vital plot point. Such rumors suggest that there wasn't much depth to the casting choice beyond the novelty of having a "Black woman" in the role.

I hope that, rather than using this as a cheap gimmick that will fade with a little hand waving and an explosion, the filmmakers will make her an important character, not just a plot point. Yet, based on past experiences and the current industry trends, I'm not holding my breath.

Conclusion

If the 007 franchise does indeed go through with this decision, it seems like a movie studio trolling the public. The buzz has already proven that it's working. I'm now going to have to mute James Bond as a topic altogether.