Sydney Sweeney Praised as 'Wonderful' Bond Girl Amidst Final Audition Buzz
Trina Parks, who starred as the first African American Bond Girl, believes Sweeney possesses the necessary qualities for the role as screen tests reportedly conclude.
Actress Trina Parks has expressed her belief that Sydney Sweeney would be an excellent choice for a Bond girl, as final screen tests for the iconic role are rumored to have taken place this past weekend. Parks, 79, made history in 1971 as the first African American actor to portray a Bond Girl, playing the henchwoman Thumper opposite Sean Connery in "Diamonds Are Forever."
In a recent interview, Parks stated that the next Bond portrayal should feature a woman with "ownership over her sexuality," adding that Sweeney embodies these qualities. Parks described Sweeney as not only a talented actress but also someone with a "Hollywood classic kind of style and poise" that aligns with her projects and personal brand. "I feel for modern cinema and film-making 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," Parks told The Telegraph.
This commentary coincides with speculation among fans who believe they have identified a "mystery" actor participating in the screen tests alongside Callum Turner and Jack Lowden. Following years of rumors, it was reported that a shortlist of actors underwent final auditions at Bray Studios over the weekend. Turner reportedly auditioned on Friday, and an unidentified actor was seen leaving the premises on Saturday.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with theories regarding the unnamed actor, with Joe Alwyn emerging as a prominent candidate. Fans have pointed to his previous roles in "Conversations With Friends," "The Brutalist," and "Hamnet," suggesting it would be logical for him to be the actor in question. Some theories suggest that casting director Nina Gold's close relationship with Alwyn, dating back to drama school and previous collaborations, could be a reason for his potential involvement and the secrecy surrounding his audition.
The audition process, which has been ongoing for years to find a successor to Daniel Craig, is reportedly nearing its conclusion. Actors such as Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O'Connor, and Jacob Elordi have been linked to the role. Bond producer Amy Pascal indicated in August that a decision could be expected by the end of the year, potentially allowing filming for the next installment to commence in 2027. Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct the project, with casting reportedly beginning in May. Pascal emphasized the methodical nature of the casting process, acknowledging the challenge of following Craig's tenure and the need for a fresh, exciting direction for the character.
Bray Studios, where the recent auditions were held, is a historic production facility now owned by Amazon MGM Studios, which holds the rights to the Bond franchise. Past contenders for the role have included Harris Dickinson and Jack Barton. The official Bond film series has featured only six actors in the titular role: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.