After No Time To Die shocked James Bond fans, one of the franchise’s producers has responded to theories for the future of 007.
With Daniel Craig making his final outing as Bond in 'No Time To Die', there has been ongoing speculation about who will succeed him as the next 007.
And it seems as though any fan theory is "valid" - according to Michael G. Wilson, who has acted as a custodian of the character alongside Barbara Broccoli since 1995.
From Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding to The Witcher's Henry Cavill and No Time To Die star Lashana Lynch, the future direction of the franchise – especially in terms of increasing representation and diversity – has caused much debate amongst fans.
A-listers such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Tom Holland have also been vocal about their desire to play the beloved character.
But one recent theory gaining traction is that Bond and Madeleine Swann's daughter, Mathilde, could take over the mantle from her father as the next 007.
During a recent appearance on No Time To Die: The Official James Bond Podcast, Wilson was quizzed on some theories for the future of Bond.
"I think everybody's got a theory and it's great [as it] just shows you what affection they have for the character. It's a cultural icon that they have a stake in the future on. I think nothing is ridiculous, they’re all valid," he said.
Co-writer Robert Wade had a slightly more unusual take on the new spy – or rather a new version of an old one – by teasingly suggesting a clone of Craig's Bond.
"I think the clues are clearly there in Casino Royale, when [Vesper] says, 'I love you, even if all that was left of you was your little finger'. That's my theory. That's all that's left of [Bond] and then they clone him from that little finger."
It comes as Barbara Broccoli let slip a few crucial hints about the next 007.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 61-year-old movie mogul said of the next 007: "I think it will be a man because I don't think a woman should play James Bond.
"I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men's roles. I don't think there are enough great roles for women, and it’s very important to me that we make movies for women about women."
While she may have ruled out the possibility of a female Bond, Broccoli did say she was open to casting non-white actors as the British spy.
"He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race]," she said.