When you think of James Bond, you might envision suave suits, high-speed chases, and martinis shaken, not stirred. But could the next face of this iconic spy franchise come from the playful billion-dollar world of Barbie? If Greta Gerwig has her way, Kingsley Ben-Adir, who's been turning heads and creating cheer as Basketball Ken, might just be trading in his plastic dream house for a license to kill.
Gerwig, who's been stirring the film pot with her take on the Mattel universe, recently praised Ben-Adir's versatility on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast. She recounted a scene where Ben-Adir, wearing a faux-fur jacket, transforms into a leader among Kens with a speech that left jaws on the floor.
"He can do anything," Gerwig insisted, and it's not hard to see why. The man has range - from his portrayal of Barack Obama to his critically acclaimed role in One Night in Miami, Ben-Adir isn't just a good-looking face; he's got the acting chops to back it up.
Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Bond role is a hot ticket, and Ben-Adir's name is among a constellation of stars rumored to be in the running. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, with his blend of charm and combat readiness, seems to be the frontrunner, and let's not forget the likes of Henry Cavill and Rege-Jean Page, who have also been whispered through the grapevine.