Geoffrey Moore, son of the late James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore, has called for the iconic spy franchise to revert to its original character traits as speculation mounts about the next actor to don the 007 mantle. Geoffrey Moore, 60, who recently took on a role as an MI5 agent in the British spy thriller "Knightfall," expressed his views on the future of James Bond, drawing parallels to his father's seven-film tenure as the character.
Following Daniel Craig's departure from the role in 2021, various actors have been rumored as potential successors. While Moore stated he trusts producer Barbara Broccoli and Amazon to select the right actor, he suggested a return to Bond's classic persona. "I would go back to the beginning. Bond liked to drink and he was a marksman, you know," he told the Daily Mail.
Moore also addressed the ongoing discussion about a female Bond, a concept that has emerged amidst criticisms of the character's past portrayals as sexist or misogynistic. He firmly believes the role should remain male, quipping, "Well, if it's a female Bond, then call her Jemima." He argued that if a female lead is desired, a separate franchise should be created, likening it to the distinction between Superman and Superwoman. "I mean, it's 'James' Bond. Like there's a Superman and there's a Superwoman," he explained.
While acknowledging women's capabilities in spy roles, citing Charlize Theron's performance in "Atomic Blonde," Moore suggested a female spy character should have her own unique narrative. "I think a female Bond - a 00-whatever should have her own story," he stated, adding that a character like "Jemima's" story could involve her being smarter and engaging in less conflict.
Geoffrey Moore's own foray into the spy genre sees him playing MI5 agent Charles Knight, a former spy catcher who teams up with his estranged daughter to prevent a national security crisis in "Knightfall." He described growing up around film sets with his father as an informal film school, learning the craft through observation and immersion. "My second womb was a soundstage," he joked. He noted that his father's talent and professionalism significantly influenced his ability to perform.
"Knightfall" is currently available on UK streaming services and will be released on Blu-ray on October 26.
