No Time to Die Star Explains Surprise Villain Twist In The Film
Billy Magnussen has finally responded to his character’s twist-reveal as a villain in No Time To Die. The latest addition to the James Bond films is helmed by Cary Koji Fukunaga and features Daniel Craig in his last performance as James Bond. After a few delays, thanks to the pandemic, No Time To Die was finally released to the US audiences on October 8.
Billy Magnussen’s Evil Twist In No Time To Die
In the film, Bond’s five-year retirement from his role as James Bond is interrupted by the CIA, who is looking to recruit him for a mission pertaining to Spectre and a missing scientist. Two agents are sent to convince Bond: his friend Felix Leiter, who previously appeared in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, alongside newcomer Logan Ash. While Ash reveals himself as a fan of Bond, he’s eventually revealed to be working for Rami Malek’s Lyutsifer Safin.
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Magnussen revealed how he approached the characters’ villainous twist, for which he was entirely on board in the film. His behind-the-ears demeanor in the film’s first scene wasn’t an accident, with him drawing a point of contrast between more comfortable veterans and him. This also him Magnussen to hide the true intentions of his character in No Time To Die.
Yeah, it was about the juxtaposition of the characters. You have Bond, who’s smooth, coy and comfortable everywhere he goes, in a sense. And then I tried to play the opposite of that: a guy who is in this world but is a little vanilla and hesitant. He doesn’t have his footing yet, but it also distracts from what the character’s real intentions are. … [With his smiling] it’s more that there’s this dark world around him, and he is getting his plan to work. He’s excited. He drank Safin’s Kool-Aid, so he’s all about pushing his agenda forward.
Having a fairly limited screen time, Magnussen’s corrupt CIA agent plays a vital role in No Time To Die. After he successfully orchestrated the killing of almost all of Spectre through Bond’s mission, Ash manages to escape with the scientist, leaving Bond and Leiter for dead, with only Bond managing to escape. Ash later becomes Bond’s key lead to track down Safin, with the replacement of 007 Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch, who is tasked to keep tabs on the rogue American.
No Time To Die Is Out In Theatres Now
The reveal of Ash’s evil intentions is not really a betrayal, but it does come as a surprise for many. By defining the personality of his character in relationship to Bond’s, the viewers can be convinced that they understand him and his role in the film’s plot, only for the actual reason for his demeanor to be far more evil. Bond fans will surely appreciate Magnussen’s role in No Time To Die, as his final showdown with James Bond gives us one of the most memorable moments of the film.
