Trina Parks believes Sydney Sweeney could be an excellent choice for the next Bond girl, as reports suggest final screen tests for the new 007 film took place over the weekend.
Parks, 79, made cinematic history when she became the first African American actor to portray a Bond girl.
She appeared opposite Sean Connery in the 1971 classic Diamonds Are Forever, playing the lethal henchwoman Thumper.
Speaking about the future of the James Bond franchise, Parks said the next leading woman should be confident, independent and fully comfortable with her sexuality.
In an interview with the Telegraph, she praised Sweeney’s versatility and self-assurance, saying: ‘Sydney has taken on a wide variety of roles and clearly has ownership of her sexual identity.
‘She is not only a gifted actress, but also has a classic Hollywood sense of style and poise that fits naturally with her work and public image.’
Trina Parks believes Sydney Sweeney could be a ‘wonderful’ Bond girl as the final auditions for the coveted 007 role are reportedly under way
Parks, now 79, became the first African American actor to play a Bond girl when she appeared alongside Sean Connery in 1971
‘For modern audiences and filmmakers, the future of Bond should include a woman opposite 007 who is independent and owns her sexuality. Sydney has those qualities,’ Parks added.
Her comments come as James Bond fans attempt to identify the unnamed actor who reportedly joined Callum Turner and Jack Lowden in the latest auditions to become the next 007.
Following years of speculation, reports emerged over the weekend that a final group of contenders had been carrying out screen tests at Bray Studios.
Turner was said to have begun the testing process on Friday, while an unidentified star was photographed or spotted leaving the studio the following day.
The mystery surrounding the actor has sent Bond fans into detective mode online, with Joe Alwyn repeatedly mentioned as a possible candidate.
Alwyn, known for appearances in Conversations With Friends, The Brutalist and Hamnet, has prompted fans to suggest that his reported connection to the casting team makes him a plausible choice.
One Reddit user wrote: ‘I can’t think of another reason they would keep the actor’s identity secret. Joe has a good reason to be kept hidden.’
They continued: ‘Nina Gold, one of the casting directors, knows Joe extremely well. She met him at drama school, cast him in his first film and is now working with him again.’
James Bond fans believe Joe Alwyn could be the unnamed actor seen leaving the latest 007 auditions
After years of speculation, reports revealed that a final shortlist was taking part in screen tests to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond
The user also questioned the secrecy surrounding the actor, writing: ‘If they were already close to deciding who the next Bond would be, why would they announce the other three names?’
The theory, shared on Reddit, quickly attracted a wave of responses from other fans who agreed that Alwyn could be the hidden contender.
They included: ‘Never thought about him as a contender before, but it makes sense;’
‘He is supposed to be filming in NYC for a Rom com, but was in London this week for a friend’s wedding and potentially this audition.’
Screen tests were said to be taking place throughout this weekend, with between three and five actors understood to have reached the last stages of the process.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Daniel Craig’s replacement has been years in the making and Callum was called today [Friday] to have his chance to impress the bosses. The next three days are going to be very interesting indeed.’
Bray Studios is a historic production house on the River Thames, home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios, which now controls the Bond franchise, in 2024.
Turner’s meeting with chiefs spells the end of almost a decade-long search to replace Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous spy.
The Emma actor, who married the popstar Dua Lipa earlier this year, has long been the front-runner for the role.
Scottish actor Lowden and Josh O’Connor, both 36, are more recent names to be thrown into the ring and Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 29, also in the running, will no doubt anger die-hard fans who believe Bond should be played by a British actor.
Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal in August said: ‘I would say the end of the year is a good bet.’
Casting by December would allow Amazon MGM Studios to start filming the next movie in 2027.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve, who is taking on the project and bosses at Amazon, announced in May that the casting process was under way.
Ms Pascal said: ‘We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.
‘And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.’
Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King’s Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Jack Barton.
Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming’s British Secret Service agent in the official film series – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.