It’s well known that theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is a genius. He has made invaluable contributions to the field of astrophysics, including creating mathematical proofs for black holes, Einstein’s theory of general relativity, and establishing new ideas regarding the Big Bang theory. Of all the things Stephen Hawking has been widely considered, I don’t think evil is one of them. Yet that is exactly what he would like to portray in his next film appearance.
According to Raw Story, Hawking has expressed an interest in acting opposite secret agent 007. He reportedly said, “My ideal role would be a baddie in a James Bond film. I think the wheelchair and the computer voice would fit the part.” This comes in conjunction with the release of the film The Theory of Everything , which captures Hawking’s life at the time his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)-like disease began to develop. He was only 21, and still an undergrad at Cambridge University.
Hawking’s disease has caused his muscles to deteriorate, a condition that impaired his speech. The ability to communicate, while essential to all humans, seems especially significant for a man with Hawking’s propensity to enlighten. The Telegraph quotes Hawking as stating, “I love to communicate science. It is important that the public understands basic science, if they are not to leave vital decisions to others.” What better way to communicate than to do so in a movie? After all, many of the gadgets we take for granted today originated in the imaginations of screen writers (i.e. Star Trek’s communicator, I mean, the cell phone).
At the age of 72, Hawking’s intention of maintaining effective communication has not diminished. He expressed in an interview with Wired magazine that he is hopeful that the new speech technology he is using will last him as long as his previous program, about 20 years. The trademark computerized voice that Hawking feels would partially qualify him as a James Bond villain, was developed and revamped over time as his muscular control declined. What started as a text to speech program has morphed into a predictive program that can anticipate his next word or phrase.
As long as Hawking has a voice, there’s no telling what he may say next. He has championed humanity, and cautioned us all the same, especially in regards to the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). If his desire came to fruition, there is no doubt he could impressively portray a silver screen evil genius. It may be his first time in a role as an antagonist, but he’s no stranger to the cinematic stage. The Telegraph reports that he has a filmography including documentaries, the Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek, the Big Bang Theory, and will appear in future episodes of Monty Python’s reunion show.
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