During an ‘In Conversation’ event at London’s British Film Institute to celebrate 60 years of James Bond, film producer Michael G. Wilson, who runs Eon Productions with Barbara Broccoli, has revealed that a seduction scene from the 1963 spy thriller From Russia With Love is always used to test those aspiring to play Ian Fleming’s role as the iconic agent. Wilson told the audience at the BFI on Friday night,

The benchmark scene Wilson is referring to the moment where Sean Connery’s Bond finds Soviet military clerk Tatiana Romanova, played by Daniela Bianchi, in the middle of his bed, wearing only a black velvet choker. After introducing themselves, Bond offers compliments to her beauty. She, however, laments:

“We always use the same scene … and that’s the one in From Russia With Love, where Bond comes back to his room after the assassination, and he starts taking off his shirt, goes into the room to bathe. Then he hears something, takes his gun, goes in and the girl is in the bed. That was the test we use. Anyone who can bring that scene off is right for Bond. It’s tough to do.”

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Before kissing her, Bond assures her all is well.

“I think my mouth is too big.”

The scene concludes with the two consummating their affair, though they are unwittingly being filmed through a two-way mirror. The veteran producer also noted that they always need a good actress to play opposite the actor participating in the audition.

“No, it’s the right size. For me, that is.”

What’s Next for James Bond?

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The event was one of several events held in recent days to mark James Bond Day this coming Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Wilson was joined on stage by screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, casting director Debbie McWilliams, actor Rory Kinnear, production designer Mark Tildesley, and associate producer Gregg Wilson for an interview by BBC host Samira Ahmed. The panel discussion was followed by a screening of the 1962 James Bond film Dr. No, starring Connery and Ursula Address.

Wilson stressed that casting has not begun for the new 007, “not matter what others tell you.” He also revealed and explained why younger actors are out of the running.

“We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn’t work. Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”