I don't want to alarm anyone, so please make sure that you're sitting down someplace with your smelling salts very near, but Benedict Cumberbatch is open to playing James Bond. Sorry, I just passed out. What were we talking about? Oh, right, one of the most talented, lusted after, and, above all, nontraditional actors out there is potentially interested in taking over for Daniel Craig in the Bond franchise after he hangs up his tuxedo for good. I'm still pushing hard for Idris Elba to be next in line for 007, as he's my top choice and nothing will ever change that, but Cumberbatch just slipped right into second place like he was born there. Ultimately, there can only be one, so I'm gonna send positive brain waves to both of them in hopes that one of them gets chosen, and I encourage you to do the same.
Because how great would Cumberbatch be as Bond. As it stands right now, there's no place for me in the current franchise, because I could never imagine myself with a hunk of man meat like Daniel Craig. And, if I'm being honest with myself, Idris Elba wouldn't give me the time of day either; they're both so far out of my league that they aren't even on my radar. But Cumberbatch isn't quite as stone-hewn or stoic as the other two, and I can imagine his Bond having a bit more warmth and personality, falling back on intelligence and charisma instead of cold ruthlessness. I feel like I could keep up with him without necessarily slipping into a gold bikini first; there's more room with him for collaboration instead of the pump-and-dump (sorry, but it's true!) mentality of the previous Bonds.
Oh, and the best part about Cumberbatch as Bond? He doesn't think the higher-ups in charge of casting would even consider him! So, he's open to it, but doesn't think he'd have a shot — what a cool backstory for Bond! Could totally see them working that into the character. Here's what Cumberbatch told People during an interview on the red carpet of his new movie Black Mass :
I don't think they'd consider me for Bond, to be honest. I don't know. I can wear a suit, yeah. I can do that. And I can fight, and I can raise my eyebrow. But that's not all it takes to play Bond, and they might want to go in very different directions and... who knows, who knows? Would be fun though, wouldn't it?
I don't know about you, but that's all I need to hear to start trying to will this into being with my brain. Henceforth, I'll be referring to Benedict Cumberbatch as "Cumberbond," and there's nothing you can do to stop me.
Image: Giphy
