Update 8 November: Lashana Leach has spoken out after being at the receiving end of backlash over her James Bond film casting.
After rumours circulated online Leach’s character could take the 007 codename in No Time To Die earlier this year, trolls took to Twitter to express their anger that a black woman was being named 007.
However, the British actress has said she isn’t fazed by the hate. ‘It doesn't dishearten me,’ she told the Hollywood Reporter in a new interview.
‘It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions, they're not even from a mean place — they're actually from a sad place. It's not about me. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life.’
The upcoming instalment of James Bond - so far dubbed 'Bond 25' - is widely believed to be to be the most progressive and feminist film of the iconic franchise yet.
Fleabag and Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been brought on as a writer, pledging to make the female characters in the films - traditionally used as love interests of the MI6 spy who then meet a violent death after becoming entangled with the complicated character - 'feel like real people'.
There's also a super impressive cast of female actors in the forthcoming untitled film, which is currently shooting in Italy, including Naomie Harris - who reprises her role as Miss Moneypenny - Leá Seydoux and Ana de Armas.
Meanwhile, there's also been a lingering question as to who the next James Bond will be as Bond 25 is largely expected to be Daniel Craig's last.
Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy have all been suggested replacements for the titular role. Many are flagging that this could be the perfect time to make the iconic character more diverse, moving away from the middle class, white straight man choice we've seen time and time again.
So, when a Mail on Sunday report - which, to stress, quotes an anonymous source - over the weekend claimed that the 'new 007' will be British actor Lashana Lynch - someone who is both black and female - this naturally sent people into a frenzy.
According to the report, it was the intervention of Waller-Bridge which led to the 'popcorn-dropping moment' for Lynch being given 'Bond's licence to kill in the 25th movie in the franchise'.
Lynch, who has previously starred in Captain Marvel alongside Brie Larson, has already been cast in the Bond 25 film, appearing at the photocall in Jamaica along with Craig, Harris and Seydoux.
However, while some people have assumed this means she will be the lead character in the next few films in the series after Craig's departure, this isn't necessarily what the latest speculation means.
As the Mail notes: 'She's not the new Bond, but a new character who takes over his secret agent number [007] after he leaves MI6'.
She also shares scenes with Craig in the film, as reportedly Bond 25 begins with Craig in retirement in Jamaica when in walks the woman who has taken over his 007 duties: Lynch.
'There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says 'Come in 007' and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman,' a 'movie insider' told the newspaper.
'It's a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond but he's been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman.'
So, while the new film appears to definitely be moving in the right direction, and we very much welcome Lynch's addition to the cast (and can't wait to see the film), there's no indication that she actually will replace Craig and be the new Bond in the 26th film.
It still awaits to be seen who will hold the lead role when Craig hands over his tuxedo and the keys to his Aston Martin at the end of Bond 25.
