James Bond casting director claims younger actors lacked ‘mental capacity’ to play 007 in auditions

That has been claimed by a casting director of James Bond younger actors don’t have the “mental capacity” for the coveted role.

Debbie McWilliams, who has been amassing stars for the franchise since 1981, complained that up-and-coming hopefuls lacked “experience” and “gravitas” when they auditioned for first place ahead of Casino Royale in 2006.

She said radio times“We’ve looked at much younger actors, and I just don’t think they had the gravitas, they didn’t have the experience, they didn’t have the mental capacity to take it on, because it’s not just the part they’re on take it, it’s a huge responsibility.’

“So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started over.”

Daniel Craig eventually became 007, a role he reprized in 2009 Quantum of Solace, 2012’s Skyfall, 2015’s Specter, and 2021’s No Time to Die.

Iconic: Debbie McWilliams lamented that emerging hopefuls lacked “experience” and “gravitas” when they auditioned for 2006’s Casino Royale (Daniel Craig pictured in Spectre)

Daniel recently stepped down from his secret agent role and speculation is rife as to who will be next in line – with Aaron Taylor Johnson and Henry Cavill leading the bookmakers’ favourites.

Bookmakers William Hill then put Henry Cavill ahead at 5/2, Regé Jean-Page at odds of 4/1, followed by Tom Hardy and James Norton both at 6/1 and Chiwetel Ejiofor at 7/1.

Idris Elba has maintained he has no interest in playing James Bond when he talked about the “stretched middle finger and nod” to the spy in Luther: The Fallen Sun.

The actor, 50, stars as the titular John Luther in the first big-screen installment of the TV franchise and has long been touted as Daniel’s replacement.

In a scene in the film, Luther refuses a martini, Bond’s favorite drink, at a moment creator and writer Neil Cross described to the Radio Times as “a middle finger extended and a nod” to Bond.

Idris said, “The martini line is a bit cheeky, isn’t it?” I was like, ‘Neil, are you sure you want to put that in?’

However, he also insists that the references to Bond in the Luther film are not his attempt to audition for the British spy.

Idris said, ‘My Bond audition? Oh my god, no! I’ve been saying no for years!’

Could it be? Daniel recently stepped down from his role and speculation abounds as to who is next in line – with Aaron Taylor Johnson (pictured in 2019) leading the bookies’ favorites

Idris gives his opinion on whether he thinks Luther is better than Bond, saying diplomatically, “Not “better”, no. Luther is equally endearing, equally sexy and great to behold visually.

“But Bond comes from a universe where espionage was the way to capture. Luther comes from the world where you knock on the door, “Are you in there? I’m coming in.”

“I think Luther fits a bit more with a modern villain than someone who takes over the world.”

Discussing Luther, he adds, “That character is so well written. You could have Luther open an envelope for ten minutes and you’d still be like, “Oh my God, what’s in the envelope?” because he’s just that kind of character.

“I still think it’s exciting because we’re not talking about the first season of Luther. It has evolved and grown and we have become bigger and braver.”