Trina Parks has cast her vote. Parks, who made history as the first Black Bond girl in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever opposite Sean Connery, spoke to The Telegraph about her choice for the next Bond girl. Her first pick? Sydney Sweeney.
Sydney Sweeney ‘Would Fit Into the Bond World’
“Sydney would do a wonderful job. She has done quite a range of acting things and basically has got ownership of her sexual identity. Not only is she a talented actress, but [she] has this Hollywood classic kind of style and poise, which really works for her projects and brand. I feel for modern cinema and filmmaking and the future of Bond, audiences want to see a woman opposite Bond who is independent and has ownership of her sexuality. Sydney has those qualities.
The days of women just falling into bed with him have changed. To have the girl of the moment in Bond would be good. She definitely has a look that would fit into the Bond world. I don’t know much about her work, but she obviously can act because of the type of projects she has appeared in,” Parks explained.
Parks’ second choice would be Sweeney’s Euphoria co-star, Zendaya, who’s had a banner year by starring in two of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
“I enjoyed her in the Spider-Man movies. Zendaya has this very strong screen prowess. And she would be another woman who would not be a pushover for Bond, which would be a good thing. I have always advocated for women of color and greater representation in the movies, and the Bond franchise has always been an advocate for them. The Broccolis were casting more people of color many years before other Hollywood studios brought them in,” Parks said.
Parks isn’t the only Bond girl supporting Sweeney for the part. Jane Seymour, who starred opposite Roger Moore in 1973’s Live and Let Die, told the Irish Star that Sweeney is her pick, too. “I mean, she is gorgeous, talented…Why not?” Seymour stated.
The James Bond Contenders
Sweeney’s name has been part of the James Bond conversation in the years since the search began for the next 007. In addition to Sweeney and Zendaya, other actors reportedly on the Bond girl shortlist include Margaret Qualley, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Michelle Randolph.
Final screen tests for Bond purportedly took place this past week, with four contenders in the running for the highly coveted role. Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Callum Turner (Masters of the Air), and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) are rumored to have been granted screen tests, along with a mystery fourth actor. Lowden is a frontrunner among fans.
Sweeney addressed the Bond girl rumors last year, declaring that she would “have more fun as James Bond.”
