'James Bond 26' rumors: African-American, female Bond a reality?

Actor Daniel Craig poses for photographers on the red carpet at the German premiere of the new James Bond 007 film "Spectre"REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File

With the imminent departure of Daniel Craig as James Bond, fans are excited at the prospect of a new face for the cool rogue.

Producer Barbara Broccoli has responded to the hype by declaring that whoever will don the suit next can be anyone, and anything is possible at this point. She even went as far as stating that the next Agent 007 could be either a black man or even a woman, which could mean that the producers are finally trying to break tradition.

"These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit. Anything is possible. Right now it's Daniel Craig, and I'm very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?" said Broccoli. This was her answer to the question of whether Bond could be black or a woman, fueling some assumptions that it might be Idris Elba as the next and first black Bond.

That said, fans will have to make do with Craig for one more movie, the 25th in the franchise, which is set to be released on Nov. 8, 2019 and still has no title. So far, Craig has played Bond four times in the following past titles: "Casino Royale," "Quantum of Solace," "Skyfall," and "Spectre." He has been a notable and successful Bond even from the first movie. 

It can be noted that casting Craig was the first practice of the directors and producers of the Bond franchise in breaking tradition with Bond movies since he was the first Blond Bond. As fans will know, James Bond in the source material is actually a dark-haired Scotsman with a suave British look and accent, with the past Bond actors being faithful to this.

Nevertheless, this last movie has Craig excited where he expressed that he can't wait for it and wanted to go out on a high note. Fans even more so for Craig and for the Bond franchise as they speculate who the next 007 will be.