Kingsley Ben-Adir could be the next James Bond if Barbie Movie director Greta Gerwig has her way. The actor known for his portrayals of Barack Obama, Malcolm X, and will be the main character in the upcoming Bob Marley “One Love” movie set for release in February, has found favor with Gerwig, who believes he can play anything.
During an appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Gerwig expressed her belief that Ben-Adir should be the next James Bond based on a powerful moment in the movie. In this scene, as Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) gifts his faux-fur jacket to Ben-Adir’s character, Basketball Ken, the British actor delivers an inspiring speech to his fellow Kens, displaying qualities she deems perfect for 007.
“I think the direction I gave to him, I said something like, ‘Ascend the throne’ and he was like, ‘Got it’. And he turned around and he ascended the throne. I was like, ‘Get this to whoever is making Bond, [they] need this immediately,” she said.
Gerwig praised Ben-Adir’s versatility as a highly skilled British actor, capable of adopting various voices, including a convincing Laurence Olivier-like one.
“He can do anything, and is a very proper, trained British actor,” Gerwig explained. “He can do the [Laurence] Olivier voice, so we had versions where he turned around and it was British. But that was one of those [moments], when he turned around and did that voice – everybody on set, everybody’s jaw dropped. He became this different person.”
She recounted the moment when he turned around and delivered a jaw-dropping performance. However, she clarified that she doesn’t know who is being considered to take on the role of the next James Bond as speculation continues about Daniel Craig’s successor.
On the Barbie set Ben-Adir also shared fond stories of working wit Gerwig, describing the actor and director as “truly creative and truly collaborative” and saying it’s been the most joyful experience of his life working in the Barbie movie environment.
