Luke Evans addresses rumours he could be first gay James Bond: ‘I don’t think it matters’
Luke Evans. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Luke Evans has said his sexuality is irrelevant to James Bond fans, amid rumours he could be the first out gay actor to play the role.
Evans is one of several actors whose name is regularly linked to James Bond.
Throughout its history, the role has been played by straight men – though Lashana Lynch played a queer 007 in the most recent film, No Time To Die.
Evans, in a new interview with Bustle, was questioned on whether viewers were now ready for a gay actor to play Bond.
“I don’t know what the current temperature is with audiences, whether they care enough to worry about what James Bond does in the bedroom,” he answered.
“I don’t think it really matters at all to the character if I’m really honest.”
Evans, who has been openly gay since he started his career, hinted at his interest in playing the iconic British spy, saying he was “ready for it all”.
Luke Evans attends the premiere “Midway” on 5 November 2019 in Westwood, California. (Getty/Frazer Harrison)
It’s been widely tipped that James Bond producers might choose to cast their net more diversely when replacing outgoing Bond, Daniel Craig.
Henry Golding, also linked to the role, has said that “diversity shouldn’t be a factor” in the casting of the next Bond, but that the character itself is what needs to be honoured.
Producer Barbara Broccoli has previously said that James Bond could be non-binary in a future movie, saying: “I think it’s open, you know? We just have to find the right actor.”
Broccoli was also receptive to the idea of the role being played by an actor of colour.
“Absolutely. We want the actor to be British,” she said.
The 2017 film hinted that LeFou had feelings for Gaston. (Disney)
Evans has previously been forced to deny that he went back into the closet to further his career.
It was suggested that, after coming out publicly in 2002, Evans played down his sexuality to win roles.
He told Attitude in 2020 that this wasn’t the case, and that he has “never been ashamed” of his sexuality.
