The White House has reacted to Amazon MGM's official casting call for the next James Bond with a striking image of Donald Trump as the iconic spy. Last week, the studio announced that the search for Daniel Craig's successor is now underway.
White House Response
In a social media post, the White House shared a black-and-white photograph of the president dressed in a tuxedo, holding a gun in one hand while the other is tucked under his arm. The caption featured only an eyeballs emoji, and the image included Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" in gold lettering at the bottom right corner.
The casting announcement comes more than a year after long-serving James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli handed creative control of the franchise to Amazon MGM, owned by Jeff Bezos. Bezos, a notable ally of Trump, previously told The Independent that the company's plan is to "make great movies." There has been no indication that Trump is involved in the next Bond film. The Independent has contacted Amazon MGM for comment.
Search for the Next 007
The identity of the next James Bond has been the subject of intense speculation since Daniel Craig confirmed his departure after 2021's No Time To Die. In September, it was reported that Denis Villeneuve, who will direct the first Bond film of the Amazon era, might be seeking an "unknown" actor for the lead.
Several high-profile actors have been rumored for the role, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi. More recently, Callum Turner has emerged as a potential frontrunner. The next Bond film, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is not expected until 2028.
Last month, Amazon MGM Studios' head of film Courtenay Valenti offered an update, stating: "Now, I know you're all wondering when we're going to announce who's playing James Bond. Please know that we're taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it's a responsibility we don't take lightly." She added: "What I can tell you is this: when you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team... you're setting the stage for something that's truly worthy of the Bond legacy. That film is coming, and when the time is right, we'll have much more to share."
