New 'No Time To Die' magazine cover confirms Lashana Lynch rumours (spoilers)

Lashana Lynch in No Time To Die (Credit: Eon Productions/Universal)

In case it were ever in doubt, a new magazine cover has confirmed a long-rumoured No Time To Die plot point is true: Lashana Lynch is the new 007 in the 25th James Bond film.

The 32-year-old Captain Marvel star graces the front cover of the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar with the caption ‘the first female 007’.

The plot point was first reported (or should we say spoiled?) by the Mail On Sunday back in July 2019, which described the reveal of Lynch as 007 in Cary Joji Fuknaga’s film as a ‘popcorn-dropping moment’.

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Lashana Lynch is making history as the first Black female 007 🔥 As she prepares to star in the 25th Bond film, the actress is on a mission to use her voice for good and represent her race and sex with pride - see a preview of her cover shoot and interview via link in bio. Lashana stars on one of our collectable Women of the Year December issue covers - available nationwide. @lashanalynch wears @giorgioarmani, photographed by @richardphibbs Stylist @leithclark Hair @earlsimms2 Make up @babskymakeup using @armanibeauty Manicure @robbietomkins Creative director @jogoodby Fashion director @avrilmair Casting @tommacklin Photo director @rachellouisebrown1 Interview @yrsadaleyward Artwork @rosannawebster Styling assistants @hollygorst @edenlilyh Editor-in-chief @lydiasmag The December issue of @BazaarUK is available to buy from 5 November. #BazaarAwards #HarpersBazaar #LashanaLynch #DecemberIssue

A post shared by Harper's Bazaar UK (@bazaaruk) on Nov 4, 2020 at 12:49am PST

However, before anyone jumps to the conclusion that this means Lynch is the next James Bond, just remember that No Time To Die begins with Daniel Craig’s secret agent retired from active service.

The 007 mantle is simply a codename assigned to active field agents, making Lynch’s character Nomi Bond’s successor at MI6 while he remains in exile.

Read more: Rami Malek promises No Time To Die subverts expectations

New international No Time To Die trailers, released in September when the film was still expected to be released this November, confirmed Nomi was operating under the 007 codename.

Lashana Lynch and Daniel Craig in a still from No Time To Die. (EON/Universal)

In the Spanish and Italian dubbed trailers Bond says “I’ve met your new zero zero seven”, before we see him circling Nomi on a dance floor.

The English language version keeps the reveal a surprise with Bond more vaguely saying “I’ve met your new double O”.

Read more: The troubled timeline of Daniel Craig's final 007 film

Talking about Nomi in her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Lynch said she wouldn’t have taken on the role if it was two-dimensional.

Britain's Prince Charles meets British actor Lashana Lynch as he tours the set of the 25th James Bond Film at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, Britain June 20, 2019. Niklas Halle'n/Pool via REUTERS

“A character that is too slick, a cast-iron figure? That’s completely against what I stand for," says Lynch. “I didn’t want to waste an opportunity when it came to what Nomi might represent.

“I searched for at least one moment in the script where Black audience members would nod their heads, tutting at the reality but glad to see their real life represented. In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 per cent authentic."

No Time To Die will come to cinemas on 2 April, 2021.

Watch the latest No Time To Die trailer