Make James Bond Sexy Again

In 1963, critic Raymond Mortimer described James Bond as “what every man would like to be, and what every woman would like between her sheets.” This review of Ian Fleming’s novel “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” for The Sunday Times epitomizes the iconic super spy’s timeless appeal: aspirational for men, irresistible to women.

As casting is underway for the 26th entry in the franchise after Daniel Craig’s enjoyable but wildly uneven tenure, much attention is being paid to who will take on the iconic role next.

Whoever is tasked with playing James Bond is saddled not just with a character, or even a franchise, but with over 70 years of cultural imagination. This name has become synonymous with a certain brand of spy: the seductive, debonair, endlessly charming yet wildly competent fantasy of secret intelligence.

Screenwriter Stephen Knight, who is writing the upcoming Denis Villeneuve-directed entry, has let slip that the next actor has been cast, but has remained tight-lipped about who will next don the tuxedo.

As predictions and fantasy casts abound, we must acknowledge this simple truth. Sex appeal is a vital component of James Bond and must be preserved.

Current frontrunner Jack Lowden is a talented actor, particularly adept at elevating mediocre historical dramas such as “Mary Queen of Scots” and “Benediction.” But he lacks a certain quality required for these archetypal literary sex symbols, as demonstrated by the distinctly unenthusiastic response to his casting as another iconic figure, Mr. Darcy of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Women may never fully coalesce around a coherent definition of what makes a man attractive, as shown by the fact that both Jason Momoa and Timothée Chalamet have legions of rabid devotees, but Bond is a particular classic masculine archetype.

So what do women really want? A flippant, if honest, response could be summed up as a man who acts like Sean Connery and looks like Pierce Brosnan.

The ideal Bond needs to fill a specific set of traits. Handsome is a given, but not just any pretty boy up-and-comer will do. The actor needs to embody both a rugged masculinity and refined suaveness, equally at home with a martini glass or a gun in his hand.

This dichotomy is truly central to the entire gambit. Too genteel and the spy lacks the danger that makes him a bad yet irresistible idea. But too gruff and you lose the seductive glamour of the fantasy. The contrast is the point.

James Bond has the charm of that terrible boyfriend you know is bad for you, but you cannot quite bring yourself to cut out of your life. Beyond just looks, charisma is crucial. Quick with a one-liner that sounds witty rather than rehearsed, this actor must seduce the audience while charming a harem of romantic interests.

Craig’s era had its highlights, coming out of the gate strong with “Casino Royale” and peaking in the middle with the truly outstanding “Skyfall,” but the weaker entries laid bare how some woke-era sensibilities infected the franchise. Aside from silly on-set semantics such as referring to the love interests as “Bond Women” rather than the far more fun and classic moniker “Bond Girls,” attempts to shave off any “toxicity” in the superspy’s masculinity removed some of the excitement. While Craig’s Bond likely would make a far better boyfriend than previous entries, James Bond is not a good boyfriend.

Paradoxically, his being simultaneously readily sexually available and always just a tad out of reach generates some of the wild fervor. He’s both entirely accessible and an incredible challenge. This contradiction doesn’t just serve a prurient purpose; it is vital to the narrative. Nearly every female character needs to believably jump into bed with this man within a few scenes of meeting him, everyone from rival spies, sophisticated ladies, and at least one lesbian villain.

This next actor, whoever he turns out to be, will likely face some backlash, whether deserved or not, but viewers should be willing to suspend judgment until the film premieres. After all, many iconic casting choices — from Michael Keaton’s Batman, Heath Ledger’s Joker, Tom Cruise’s Lestat, and even Craig’s 007 — have faced scrutiny and speculation before winning over audiences. And if he’s a complete disaster, the benefit of such a long-lasting character is that recasting is never more than a film or two away.

Casting directors should remember that they’re selecting a man to fill not just a role but the latest iteration of a modern myth. And the erotic fascination is as central as the charm, talent, and cool.

Much of James Bond’s staying power as a cultural icon comes down to the simple fact that, as the old saying goes, men want to be him and women want to be with him.

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Paulina Enck is a media specialist in Washington, D.C.

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