Lashana Lynch Is The New 007 — But Not The New Female James Bond; Everything We Know About Her
Of course, #NotMyBond is trending on Twitter.
Instagram When it was first announced Daniel Craig may not be coming back to play iconic secret agent James Bond, speculation began running rampant about who, precisely, would "be next" to assume the role. And while possibilities ran the gamut from Idris Elba to Domnhall Gleeson, one woman emerged victorious with the 007 crown — not necessarily the female James Bond. Who is Lashana Lynch?
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1. She's just picking up the 007 codename — not the James Bond role.
According to Buzzfeed, one of the things that many people got confused about was what role, precisely, Lashana Lynch was playing. It turns out that, in the film that's currently being dubbed "Bond 25," Lynch is actually just assuming the 007 codename, not the James Bond role (which will be played for "one final time" by Daniel Craig).
"Following years of speculation over who will replace Craig as the British spy, the revelation that Lynch will take over the agents iconic code name is described as a "popcorn-dropping moment." The film is set to pick up in Jamaica where Craig's character retreated to for life after MI6 at the end of Spectre. After getting the call up to get back in the spy game, turns out someone else has adopted his code name in his absence," reported the outlet.
2. Lashana Lynch is already an all-American hero.
Even though Lynch is new to the 007 universe, she's not new to the big screen. According to ABC News, she was previously known for her role in Captain Marvel as an all-American hero.
"Lynch recently played Maria Rambeau in the 2019 smash hit "Captain Marvel." While Rambeau is Carol Danvers' friend from the Air Force and fellow fighter pilot, she's also mom to one of the current Captain Marvels in the comics. Monica Rambeau, the character's daughter, was even asked to lead the Avengers at one point. You got to see her as an adorable kid in the film," reports the outlet, who adds that Lynch is a British native.
3. She's made history with this role.
According to The National Post, Lashana Lynch has made history as the first black woman to play the 007 role — and the first woman, period, to assume the role.
"There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says ‘come in 007’, and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman,” says a movie insider, according to the outlet.
4. Just as with the #NotMyAriel hashtag, online racist trolls took to Twitter to make #NotMyBond trend.
Even though Lashana Lynch is only playing 007, not James Bond, it didn't stop the online trolls from making #NotMyBond a trending topic on Twitter — proving, of course, that they didn't read the original article in the first place.
But that's not going to stop her shine!
"In April, Lynch posted a photo from the "Bond 25" photocall with the caption, "Introducing Nomi." The official "James Bond" Twitter account confirmed her character name shortly after," reports The Insider.
5. Lashana Lynch can thank Phoebe Waller-Bridge for bringing her onboard.
According to The Daily Beast, who applauds the film's decision to have a black 007, a certain British actress and comedian can be thanked for this "popcorn-dropping" turn of events.
"According to the Daily Mail, this dramatic turn for Bond was inspired by writer-actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge of Fleabag fame, who was reportedly brought in by Craig to punch up the script. The Daily Mail’s source says, “Lashana is absolutely brilliant and Phoebe’s script is as sharp and funny as you would expect. This Bond pays tribute to some of the earlier films with a lot of humor," reports the outlet.
6. She's had other high-profile roles before 007.
Lashana Lynch is not an amateur actress. According to E! News, she's been in several films and TV shows both in Britain and in the United States. She also has performed onstage.
Congratulations are in order, then, for Lashana Lynch!