Debbie McWilliams has been a significant contributor to one of cinema’s major blockbuster series for more than four decades. Since 1981, she has taken on the role of casting director in the James Bond movies. Over these years, she has selected numerous intriguing villains and leading actresses. Moreover, she has been responsible for choosing the new James Bond three times, which includes the selection of Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and most recently Daniel Craig, thus playing a crucial part in their hiring.
It’s worth noting that BAFTA didn’t have a Best Casting award until 2020, making it the first major film awards event to do so. To me, this fact is rather astonishing – I believe the issue lies in our reluctance to assert ourselves more forcefully, but we should, as no one else will if we don’t.
This year, I once more penned a letter to the Academy, expressing my concern that there seems to be a significant oversight. I inquired if perhaps they could consider addressing it, but I remain uncertain if this will come to fruition.
It’s truly surprising that despite progress, we still find ourselves in a lower position – casting directors typically receive one initial screen credit, but only we are excluded from Oscar eligibility. Frankly, it’s quite shameful.
Although it seems that recognition through awards is delayed (since our conversation, it was confirmed that the Oscars will introduce a new award for casting from 2026), McWilliams remains content with simply completing her tasks – she highlights the transformation and diversity of the ‘Bond girl’ role as one of her greatest accomplishments.
She expresses her gratitude that the role required a skilled actress instead of merely a beautiful one, as she puts it. Moreover, without pointing fingers, she hints at some questionable casting decisions in past productions.
In the 2015 movie Spectre, choosing Monica Bellucci, who was 50 at the time, to play Lucia Sciarra stood out as a notable choice.
I’ve received some heartwarming emails from ordinary people expressing their enthusiasm for various reasons. For instance, when Monica Bellucci was cast in the upcoming James Bond film, a wave of middle-aged women reacted positively because they appreciated seeing a woman of that age playing such an iconic role. It’s worth noting that she’s not just any 50-year-old actress, but her inclusion in the film seems to emphasize that age is no barrier to success.
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It was surprisingly simple to get Dame Judi Dench to play the superior of Bond, a role called M. Initially, McWilliams thought Dench, an esteemed Shakespearean actress, would turn down a part in a big-budget film. However, because of a personal link between Dench and the late Bernard Lee, who portrayed the first M from 1962 to 1979, she gladly accepted the offer as a way to honor her friend.
In the 2006 movie Casino Royale, the most difficult aspect was the character Vesper Lynd, who was Bond’s first real romantic interest. Her betrayal and eventual death had a profound impact on the novice 00 agent, shaping him significantly.
Eva Green had consistently been considered for the role, yet there was a subtle reluctance towards her selection. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I suspect it stemmed from doubts about her extensive experience. After all, she had participated in just a handful of films and they were primarily small-scale, independent productions. However, collaborating with a seasoned professional like Barbara Broccoli, who possesses such an exceptional intuition, both of us found ourselves deeply drawn to her.
Green’s initial screen test did not turn out as expected. McWilliams comments, “She would undoubtedly acknowledge her performance was far from great.” Since no one had prepared her with hair and makeup, the test didn’t do her justice at all. To make matters worse, we started filming Casino Royale without having filled the role [Le Chiffre]. In fact, we hadn’t even cast Le Chiffre yet, who was eventually played by Mads Mikkelsen…
However, we both persisted and encouraged Eva to try again. This time, she was prepared with her hair and makeup, had appropriate clothing, and seemed more composed about the entire situation, which ultimately made the decision final.
In the Bond series, the role of the protagonist has sparked more debate and conjecture than any other aspect – specifically who will play 007 next. With Daniel Craig’s departure confirmed in 2021’s No Time to Die, various actors have been rumored for the part by the media, including Regé-Jean Page from Bridgerton, Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, Jack Lowden from Slow Horses, Tom Hardy, and James Norton.
McWilliams remarks that most rumors have her laughing heartily. She often jokes that when a news outlet has an empty space, they fill it with a James Bond story because they lack other topics to discuss. It seems baffling to her why people can’t just be patient and wait for the truth to unfold.
The process for choosing the next Bond actor isn’t fixed, as McWilliams explains; the number of actors they meet changes with each search. When Daniel Craig was chosen, McWilliams recalls meeting countless individuals and traveling extensively. Barbara Broccoli was a strong advocate for him, having firmly decided he was her top pick from early on, but convincing others was the challenge.
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After the casting process is largely confirmed, the actor will encounter one last challenge – a recorded screen test. The purpose of this is primarily to assess how the individual appears on-screen, their reactions, and their comfort level while seated.
When McWilliams discusses the qualities she seeks when choosing Bond, she mentions there are many factors to consider, but primarily, the individual needs to be a superb actor who possesses physical skills. McWilliams emphasizes that there isn’t a perfect mold for this role, as such a concept would lead to monotony.
The ideal candidate for a job may vary from year to year, as different individuals excel in different years. Unfortunately, there isn’t a mathematical formula or equation that can accurately predict who will be the best fit. Instead, it’s more of an unpredictable process without a simple algebraic solution.
The way we approach each film and the mood we want to create significantly influences casting decisions. For instance, the aim to make Casino Royale seem more modern led us to cast Daniel Craig, as we wanted Bond to have a darker, more menacing quality. As you know, while Pierce Brosnan was excellent, he didn’t quite embody that menacing vibe; on the other hand, Daniel Craig projects a strong presence that I believe is crucial for the character.
Bond needs to maintain an athletic build, yet be inconspicuous enough to blend with the crowd. In other words, he should appear as an average individual, not someone like Dwayne Johnson who stands out. However, he should also possess a well-toned physique that signifies a high level of fitness.
When it came to selecting the right actor for Casino Royale, I, as a cinephile, understand that many younger talents were considered. However, none of them seemed to carry the required weight, the essential life experience, or the mental fortitude to shoulder such a heavy role. It’s not merely about playing the part; it’s about bearing the enormous responsibility that comes with it.
“So we kind of scrubbed that idea and went back to the drawing board and started again.”
In simpler terms, having a more seasoned Bond doesn’t always equate to a renowned movie star. As McWilliams notes, past 007 actors varied in fame levels before assuming the role. In essence, when it comes to casting a James Bond film, it’s not necessary to recruit a widely recognized actor.
When it comes to revisiting Ian Fleming’s spy character once more, the responsibility will no longer fall on Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, who have been long-term stewards of the franchise. Instead, they are stepping away from daily creative decisions, with Amazon MGM Studios now having complete control over the creative aspects of the James Bond series.
Earlier, Broccoli and Wilson often collaborated with McWilliams to decide on the next James Bond actor. However, it was understood that the studio too had a say in the final casting decision.
McWilliams explains that when it comes to her role in the series, there’s an ongoing exchange of ideas. She doesn’t like to overpower, but she does try. So yes, there’s constant dialogue, and ultimately, Barbara and Michael held the decision-making power.
With Broccoli and Wilson-McWilliams, who recently retired, absent, the Bond series is stepping into a fresh epoch. For the first time in many years, the dominant figures guiding this franchise have moved on, making the selection of the upcoming 007 an unknown path – and sparking curiosity about what kind of Bond character may emerge next.
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2025-08-29 12:38