Lashana Lynch will act in upcoming 007 film but she is not the next James Bond

Rumours have been swirling around about Bond 25, the upcoming instalment to the 55-year-old James Bond franchise. The latest one being that the role of 007 would be played by Captain Marvel's Lashana Lynch. Based on a report by Daily Mail, in director Cary Fukunaga's 2020 film, Lynch becomes 007 after Daniel Craig's James Bond goes into retirement. Lynch is said to be playing a character named Nomi, and it seems as if that moniker is an alias along with the famous spy's title. Although Lynch takes on the role of 007 in Bond 25, it doesn't mean she's a replacement for the lead which historically has always been held by a white male. It was also reported that Craig would remain part of the story, his Bond rapidly comes out of retirement during the film in order to face off against the villain played by Rami Malek.

So if the rumour is true, Lynch is the new 007 but not the action hero of the new film, which will still be Daniel Craig.

It is uncertain whether Lynch's character survives to the end of the film but she may be Bond's love interest if the grapevine is to be believed.

Another woman to join Bond 25 is Phobe Waller-Bridge who will be behind the scenes and part of the screenwriting team. The Fleabag creator is only the second credited woman screenwriter of a James Bond film in nearly 60 years.

The first was longtime film veteran Johanna Harwood who doctored screenplays for 1962's Dr.No and 1963's From Russia With Love, and received co-writing credits for both films (over objections of her male co-writer). Waller-Bridge said in May that James Bond "is absolutely relevant now" but that the franchise "has just got to grow."

Insiders said the new film shows Bond as a perennial womaniser, dealing with the implications of the #MeToo movement and having to deal with rejection.

"Bond girls" are also now to be addressed as "Bond women." Lynch's casting as Bond is good for representation because she's a woman and it is also equally important is that she is black.

With a female co-writer, an Asian American director, an Egyptian American villain, and a black woman as the new 007, not only will Bond 25 be the franchise’s most inclusive installment — it will also make for an interesting mix.

Actors in the past who have played James Bond include Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, David Niven, Barry Nelson and Timothy Dalton. -/TISG