Actor Daniel Craig has been quoted as saying that he would like to see an African-American actor play James Bond in the future, according to an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

This is quite an interesting thought that could certainly spice up a franchise that is up and down.

However, it may also be too much for some Bond fans to handle considering the uproar that Mr. Blonde Bond caused when he signed on.

We’ve had an African-American Bond girl (Halle Berry), but it seems like the overt symbolism in the series would be altered significantly by something as insignificant as the lead actor’s skin color.

As only a Bond-fan-in-passing myself, I would have to say that I support the idea of an African-American Bond wholeheartedly, and it appears that the schools of thought on Bond would not be drastically altered.

Now, all we can do is hope they find the right actor to usher in this new era of a series that should have been dead in the water almost 20 years ago.

To help clear up some of these issues, I spoke with Christoph Lindner, NIU English professor and resident Bond expert.

Northern Star: Do you think an African-American actor could carry the newly-revitalized Bond series?

Christoph Lindner: An African-American James Bond would pose a double challenge to the 007 franchise because it would not only involve changing Bond’s race but also his nationality.

I think fans would accept a black James Bond readily; but an American Bond?

That’s another question altogether.

NS: Regarding the symbolism of the series, what do you feel would suffer or improve from having an African-American Bond?

CL: The 007 series has already made big changes in the character of Bond and the fictional world in which he circulates.

As I said, changing Bond’s race would not significantly alter the formula.

Making Bond American would change everything.

Wrapped up in the British Bond are ideas about class, snobbery and other forms of nationalist elitism that do not work in the same way in American society.

NS: What could an African-American actor bring to the series that previous Bond actors could not?

CL: Currently, the series is in “reboot” mode and is trying simultaneously to distance itself from previous Bonds and reconnect with Ian Fleming’s original Bond.

An African-American Bond would allow the series to update itself and, at the same time, possibly distance itself from some of the more dubious aspects of its past – most notably including the rampant racism of the novels and the jingoism and xenophobia of the films.

But ultimately, I doubt that it matters very much who plays Bond and where they come from.

Most of all, Bond is about sex and violence and, so long as the character continues to deliver sex and violence, the rest is negotiable.