Henry Golding Backtracks On His Previous Comments Wanting Radical Changes To James Bond
John F. Trent
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Actor Henry Golding, who starred in the critical and box office disaster Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, sang a different tune from previous comments he made about James Bond in a new interview.
Henry Golding plays Snake Eyes in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins from Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Skydance.
Related: Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Star Henry Golding Wants To Radically Alter James Bond
Golding previously spoke to The Guardian calling for radical changes to James Bond in September 2020.
When asked by the British outlet if Hollywood should introduce its first half-east Asian 007, Golding said, “It is the opportunity for change. Be it female, male, bi, gay, straight, trans, Asian, black, Latina.”
He added, “Now is the time in our history where it doesn’t matter. That is the most amazing feeling. So the possibilities are endless.”
Henry Golding plays Snake Eyes and Samara Weaving plays Scarlett in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins from Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Skydance.
The actor had also previously addressed the possibility of playing Bond with Attitude magazine in September 2020 as well.
He told the publication, “It does seem to be a question that always comes up. It was definitely from Crazy Rich, maybe (the scene with) the white suit coming out of the park.”
“(And) because I’m Asian and everybody’s fighting for a diverse Bond – sorry, white guys. I don’t know. It’s an honour to even be in the conversation. It’s one of the greatest film roles ever, you’d be stupid to be like, ‘I don’t want to do that shit,’” Golding continued.
He then added, “F***, no, it would be the wildest ride. I’m super excited to see Daniel Craig’s last venture… but isn’t it great that we’re having that conversation?”
Golding concluded saying, “Isn’t it great that people are like, ‘OK, now’s the time, why the hell can’t we have a black Bond, an Asian Bond, a mixed-race Bond, a non-distinct Bond?”
Iko Uwais plays Hard Master, Henry Golding plays Snake Eyes and Peter Mensah plays Blind Master in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins from Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Skydance.
Now, in a new interview with Radio Times Golding claims that diversity should not be a factor when it comes to casting a new James Bond.
“It shouldn’t be a factor at all,” he told the British outlet. “I think Bond represents something that we’ve all sort of grown up with and that’s a man of substance, a man who has stoic properties and is a protector, has a sensitive side.”
Golding went on to say, “So really, the talk of having to have them be diverse is – it’s great and all, but I think you have to do justice to the source material. He’s such an iconic character, so I wouldn’t say that there should be any pressure.”
He added, “But I think they will choose the right person for the role. So be it Black, Asian, Latino, mixed… anything, as long as they have the attributes that they can bring to the screen. I think that is what the fans really want.”
Henry Golding plays Snake Eyes and Iko Uwais plays Hard Master in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins from Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Skydance.
James Bond has a definite look that was created by author Ian Fleming in his first novel featuring Bond, Casino Royale.
Fleming wrote, “As he tied his thin, double-ended, black satin tie, he paused for a moment and examined himself levelly in the mirror. His grey-blue eyes looked calmly back with a hint of ironical inquiry and the short lock of black hair which would never stay in place slowly subsided to form a thick comma above his right eyebrow.”
“With the thin vertical scar down his right cheek the general effect was faintly piratical. Not much of Hoagy Carmichael there, thought Bond, as he filled a flat, light gunmetal box with fifty of the Morland cigarettes with the triple gold band. Mathis had told him of the girl’s comment,” reads Casino Royale.
Previously in the novel, Fleming used an as yet unnamed Vesper Lynd to describe Bond, “He is very good-looking. He reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless in his …”
Hoagland Howard “Hoagy” Carmichael (November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981) was an American jazz composer, and actor.
Photo Credit: Press photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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