2,000 fans chose their next James Bond – but here’s why none of them fit the bill for 007

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The search for the next James Bond is under way – and naturally, everyone has an opinion.

TopMob surveyed its readers to find out who they thought should be the next James Bond, gathering opinions from nearly 2,000 movie fans on this highly debated casting choice.

The results were pretty predictable. Henry Cavill was the most talked-about candidate with 101 mentions, representing 18.4% of all mentions. Tom Hardy came in second with 84 mentions, and James Norton wasn’t far behind with 77.

In addition to those already mentioned, a few names kept appearing as potential candidates: Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Luke Evans, Tom Hiddleston, Theo James, Idris Elba, Jason Statham, and Aidan Turner.

But are fans looking backwards rather than forwards?

Things have changed quickly regarding James Bond. Amazon MGM Studios has officially started looking for the next 007, and they’ve brought in Nina Gold – a well-known casting director who’s worked on popular shows like Game of Thrones and The Crown – to help find Daniel Craig’s replacement.

Producers are looking for a James Bond who is young enough to play the role in several films, but also possesses strong sex appeal. This complicates the fan discussions, because Bond isn’t just about action. He’s also meant to be a romantic figure, someone dangerous and alluring, a flirt, and, historically, even a bit of a womanizer.

It’s not enough for these actors to simply look the part or be able to fight. The real question is whether they can truly captivate an audience and make them believe in a character’s power and presence.

Considering all of that, here’s a look at which phones our TopMob readers love the most – and why, unfortunately, they often don’t live up to expectations in real-world use.

Henry Cavill

This actor is a fan favorite and was a strong contender for the role of James Bond, even auditioning for it in the past.

Honestly, I’ve always found Henry Cavill surprisingly charismatic on screen. Remember his role in The Tudors? He played Charles Brandon as this total ladies’ man – strong, charming, and with a definite rebellious streak. Then there was The Man from U.N.C.L.E., where he basically gave a masterclass in how to play James Bond – all smooth, sophisticated, playful flirting, and completely aware of his own appeal. It felt like a direct audition, and a really good one at that!

The issue isn’t whether Henry Cavill can play a charming, seductive Bond – he absolutely can. The concern is that he already embodies a very complete vision of the character, maybe too complete. He’s the ideal fantasy pick: good-looking, fit, with a classic, slightly arrogant demeanor. However, at 43, he might be seen as a missed opportunity rather than the Bond for the next ten years.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy doesn’t typically portray polished or refined characters; instead, he often embodies a raw, intense, and sometimes troubled energy. We’ve seen this in his roles as a man consumed by love in the 2009 Wuthering Heights adaptation, a compelling and dangerous figure in Peaky Blinders, and through the powerful physical presence he brings to many of his films.

Idris Elba could be a compelling, more intimidating Bond – one who brings a real sense of danger to the character’s charm. However, Bond also needs to appear relaxed and confident, and Elba often portrays characters who are internally conflicted rather than effortlessly enjoying themselves. At 48, he feels less like a choice for a glamorous, overtly sexual reboot, and more like a grittier option the franchise might have explored in the past.

James Norton

Though younger than Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy, James Norton, at 40, convincingly portrays characters with power and depth. He’s demonstrated a wide range, playing roles that require both charm and vulnerability, strength and inner turmoil. While he was deliberately unsettling in Happy Valley, he proved he could use his natural charisma to create a chilling effect. Earlier roles in Grantchester and the 2016 adaptation of War & Peace highlighted his ability to play a more traditional, romantic, and troubled hero.

Norton has always dismissed the rumours with a sense of humour. When told he was the frontrunner for a role at the 2025 BAFTAs, he joked that whoever was making those predictions needed to find a new career. He described the reports connecting him to James Bond as strange, confusing, and simply made up.

He initially called the rumors “very flattering and humbling,” but quickly added they were “completely crazy and absurd.” He admitted he wasn’t sure if he’d even be interested in pursuing the opportunity.

Norton might be a good choice, but Amazon and Gold may be looking for someone newer and less well-known. He risks seeming like an obvious or outdated pick.

Tom Hiddleston

Ever since Tom Hiddleston starred in ‘The Night Manager’ in 2016, many people have considered him a strong candidate to play James Bond.

The recent John le Carré series felt a lot like a preview for a James Bond movie – think sharp suits, glamorous hotel settings, mysterious women, global conspiracies, and a charismatic lead character with a hidden, troubled side.

He effortlessly conveyed sophistication – polished, witty, smart, and always impeccably dressed. It was clear why he made such an impression.

Now that Hiddleston is 45, the time for him to become James Bond has likely passed. There was a lot of excitement around him in the mid-2010s, with so many people betting on him that bookmakers temporarily stopped taking bets.

Ten years have passed, and the idea of Hiddleston as James Bond seems less likely now. While he might have been a great fit in the past, he’s probably not the top choice for the role if they were to reboot the series today.

  • Read more: How to choose the next James Bond, with casting boss Debbie McWilliams

Theo James

Theo James is the first actor readers mentioned who could realistically play the role, considering his age. At 41 in 2026, he’s not a fresh face, but he’s younger than many of the other actors suggested.

He clearly understands the qualities that make a classic Bond villain. In both The White Lotus and the Netflix series The Gentlemen, he portrays characters with similar traits: confident, charming, and a little dangerous. He played Cameron as someone who uses his charisma to get what he wants, and in The Gentlemen, he embodies a wealthy, composed, and darkly humorous character – a very British take on the dangerous, attractive man who isn’t entirely trustworthy. He’s skilled at portraying characters who are both appealing and morally ambiguous.

James doesn’t seem eager to reprise his role as James Bond. He recently told The Guardian that he likely won’t be returning, stating there are other actors who would be a better fit. He also admitted the role feels daunting, as taking it on would mean he couldn’t go back to playing other characters.

Idris Elba

For a long time, many fans believed Idris Elba was the perfect choice to play James Bond. He possessed all the qualities – a cool demeanor, a sense of danger, a distinctive voice, a good sense of humour, and a natural commanding presence.

Idris Elba has always had the charisma and magnetism often associated with James Bond. This was a key reason he was considered for the role – his performances in ‘Luther’ established him as intense and captivating, ‘The Wire’ showcased his natural authority, and his public appearances solidified his overall appeal. He’s one of the rare actors who seemed to embody the qualities of Bond – danger, charm, and a commanding presence – even before taking on the role.

Idris Elba’s difficulty isn’t about his acting ability, but rather the direction the Bond films are heading. He’s stated the producers are looking for a younger actor, and he didn’t feel he was a serious contender. At 53, he’s now considered too old for a rebooted Bond series that’s planned to span multiple films.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham excels at action – fighting, driving, and portraying tough characters – but James Bond offers so much more. Bond isn’t just about thrills; he’s about charm, deception, sophistication, emotional complexity, a touch of the ridiculous, and represents a significant part of British identity all rolled into one.

Jason Statham has successfully created a tough-guy action hero image throughout his career. However, at 58 years old (turning 59 in July 2026), his age makes him an unlikely candidate for the role of James Bond. Even if he took the part, it would be difficult for audiences to see James Bond – they’d simply be watching Jason Statham performing Bond-like actions.

Aidan Turner

Turner is possibly not getting enough recognition. He’s a strong contender as a romantic lead, largely due to his success in Poldark, where he became a very popular historical drama hero. That role relied on qualities like a thoughtful, intense personality, inner struggles, and obvious attractiveness.

At 42, and turning 43 in June 2026, Turner is a plausible candidate for a one-off James Bond film, but likely too old to be the face of a long-term series reboot.

He could have been a great James Bond after Daniel Craig a few years back. But now, he seems more suited to the idea of Bond than actually playing the role in a movie.

So who does fit?

TopMob’s polls reveal which actors fans have favored as James Bond over the last ten years. However, casting director Nina Gold has a different challenge: she needs to identify the actor who will still be popular in the role nearly fifteen years from now, in 2036.

The next James Bond might be a less-discussed actor. If producers are truly looking for someone young and charismatic, actors like Callum Turner, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi seem like strong possibilities. They’re young enough to take on the role long-term, and possess the potential to bring the necessary charm, confidence, and intensity to become a compelling 007.

Ultimately, that’s the main reason the next James Bond will likely be quite different from who many people have been anticipating for a long time.

Read more: Every James Bond movie ranked, from worst to best

Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as the Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as a TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television expert on programs like BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

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2026-05-28 09:37