Next James Bond: Top Contenders to Replace Daniel Craig

It’s fair to say that we’re at a major crossroads moment when it comes to the future of James Bond.

For some time now, the popular franchise has been experiencing a period of transition following Daniel Craig‘s last appearance as the renowned spy in 2021’s No Time to Die. However, this phase became more noticeable when it was revealed that long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli would be taking a step back from the series.

With Amazon taking full control over the franchise, it remains uncertain how things might shift; however, there’s a strong possibility that these changes could influence the character traits of the upcoming actors assuming the role.

The retirement of longtime casting director Debbie McWilliams, who’s been in the position for 44 years and responsible for casting the last three James Bonds, is undeniably going to make a significant difference. She recently declared that she has “retired my casting hat.

Before the recent significant declarations, Aaron Taylor-Johnson was widely considered the front runner to replace Craig in the role. Some sources even claimed he had been given the part, but it remains uncertain if he is still a contender for the position.

But who else is in the frame? Read on for a list of the potential candidates…

The next James Bond will be a “thirty-something” and not a younger actor
Naomie Harris offers her advice to the next James Bond: “Don’t get intimidated”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

As a cinephile, I’ve been keeping tabs on the latest Bond casting news, and it seems that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, known for his roles in Kick-Ass and Tenet, has been making waves. Word on the street is that he had a sit-down with Barbara Broccoli, the Bond producer, and the meeting reportedly went swimmingly according to Matthew Belloni of Puck News.

Belloni noted that Taylor-Johnson perfectly meets all requirements: “He’s an excellent actor, British, aligns with the youthful direction the Broccolis prefer, accomplished yet not overly renowned.

Back in November 2022, it’s been reported that the 34-year-old actor held a clandestine tryout at Pinewood Studios, where he allegedly left quite an impression on Broccoli.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can share that insiders from the production house have expressed their admiration for my exceptional combination of dramatic depth and an extensive library of pulse-pounding action flicks.

Despite the announcement that Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have withdrawn from the franchise, Taylor-Johnson continues to be the top choice among betting odds.

Or:

Though Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are no longer involved with the franchise, Taylor-Johnson remains the favourite according to bookmakers.

James Norton

At present, James Norton appears to be the actor most likely to take on the role that bookmakers consider similar to Taylor-Johnson. For a while now, he has been associated with this part due to his stardom.

Known for acting in shows like Happy Valley, Grantchester, and McMafia, James Norton is highly popular in the UK. Thus, it’s not surprising that people are discussing his potential involvement.

Lately, it’s been said that a subtle hint about him potentially taking over as Bond was found in his latest series “Playing Nice,” however, when asked directly about being one of the top contenders for the role at the recent EE BAFTA Film Awards, Norton appeared to dismiss the speculations.

“Whoever’s deciding on these odds needs to get a new job,” he said.

When asked how he felt about the rumours, Norton admitted he finds it “so weird and bemusing”.

Once more, this is merely conjecture and creates an exciting headline in the press, but beyond that, it’s amusing and puzzling,” he expressed.

Henry Cavill

Actor Henry Cavill, famous for playing Superman and The Witcher, is frequently mentioned as an appropriate choice for James Bond. In November 2019, he made news with an unusual explanation of why he wasn’t considered the first time around.

Cavill had a shot at the same role as Craig, but their auditions resulted differently. Recently, his audition tape was released to the public, and it turned out that he was not chosen because, as he put it himself, he was too heavy at the time.

In a conversation with Men’s Health, he admitted, “I may have put more effort into my preparation. I recall Martin Campbell, the director, commenting, ‘Henry, you seem a bit overweight.’ At that time, I was unaware of how to exercise or diet. I’m grateful Martin pointed it out because his honesty motivates me to improve.

On several occasions, Cavill has openly shown enthusiasm for the part, and it appears he’s a top choice among fans: When Jeff Bezos solicited suggestions from his social media followers (previously known as Twitter) about who should play the role now that Amazon had complete creative control, Cavill was the name that cropped up most frequently.

At the age of 41, it might seem a bit late for him to assume this role right now, but he’s nonetheless among the top five contenders according to betting odds.

Harris Dickinson

Among the potential candidates for the role of James Bond, one name that’s been brought up recently is Harris Dickinson, an actor who’s made a mark in several critically-acclaimed movies such as “Triangle of Sadness,” “The Iron Claw,” and “Babygirl.

At 28 years old, he definitely benefits from his youth – and he’s currently leading the pack in terms of bookmakers’ predictions for the role. Moreover, the chatter has really heated up when it was noticed that there were surprisingly few upcoming projects on his IMDb page, raising some eyebrows.

A more plausible theory appears to be that his association with the character of John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ forthcoming Beatles biopics is stronger, suggesting it might be premature to jump to conclusions just yet.

Theo James

A notable actor presently with high chances of success is Theo James, who has recently taken on twin roles in the chilling movie “The Monkey.” His impressive resume includes parts in “The Gentlemen,” “The White Lotus,” and “Sanditon.

However, he appears unsuitable for the position due to one primary factor: his lack of enthusiasm about assuming the role personally.

In an interview with SiriusXM in 2023, he shared his thoughts: “I appreciate some of the Sean Connery films, but I believe they should explore new directions. Are you following? What I mean is, they need a fresh take on it, and that wouldn’t involve me.

To be honest, it appears there might be some evasion at play, which for now, seems to make his chances rather slim.

Callum Turner

Turner has established his acting reputation through appearances on television series like “The Capture” and “Masters of the Air.” At the age of 34, he undoubtedly fits the suitable age range for the part.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I find it intriguing that this actor hasn’t quite reached household fame yet, but his relative anonymity could actually work to his advantage for this role. It could be one of the reasons he’s currently leading the pack in the bookies’ predictions.

During a chat with Entertainment Tonight, he playfully suggested that the rumors circulating might be orchestrated by his mother.

At that moment, he mentioned, “Barbara Broccoli is a fantastic producer, and it’s my dream to collaborate with her in any role.

Indeed, Broccoli is no longer part of the franchise, but it probably didn’t hinder Turner’s aspirations significantly…

Regé-Jean Page

Overnight, Regé-Jean Page skyrocketed to international fame following the premiere of Bridgerton on Netflix, and he’s remained one of the most talked-about personalities in the entertainment industry since then.

Over the past few years, he’s landed several prominent roles such as the adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, the Netflix suspense series The Gray Man alongside Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, and an upcoming spy movie by Steven Soderbergh titled Black Bag.

Previously, a page is now linked to portray The Saint in an upcoming film by Paramount Pictures. This character was previously made famous by Roger Moore, prior to his debut as James Bond in the 1970s.

I was initially among those touted as a strong contender, but my chances seem to have dwindled as per the betting market predictions. Now, I’m not seen as one of the top favorites anymore.

Idris Elba

There have been persistent whispers for quite some time that Idris Elba could take over the role from Daniel Craig, with many discussions going as far back as 2016 and Craig’s initial intended departure in the film Spectre.

Initially, there was a hint from the Luther star through an enigmatic social media post (“My name’s Elba, Idris Elba”) suggesting a conversation had begun. However, he has since tried to distance himself from the persistent speculations regarding his potential role as the next 007, even though Barbara Broccoli acknowledged that he was “under consideration” for the part.

During an interview with Event magazine from the Daily Mail, he shared that he’s hesitant to play characters that might become synonymous with his acting career. Instead, he prefers to tackle diverse roles where he can seamlessly blend in.

The Bond franchise is globally recognized as one of the largest, so whoever assumes the role experiences it deeply. In essence, you become synonymous with that character for a long time. I’m currently developing characters that can coexist with Idris Elba without overshadowing or completely defining me.

Elba has expressed that while he was eager for the opportunity to embody the renowned character, his enthusiasm was dampened by the criticism he faced from some individuals who appear to question whether Bond could be played by someone of Black origin.

In an interview with Esquire, he expressed that it’s discouraging when individuals from different generations respond skeptically with “It can’t be,” and it seems that this skepticism is largely based on his skin color.

If I manage to obtain it but it fails to function, or if it functions properly, wouldn’t that have anything to do with my skin color? It’s a tricky situation for me as there seems to be no reason for such a connection.

Elba clarified once more about the possibility of him playing Bond in LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The Shop: Uninterrupted series. He stated, “Becoming Bond is not a professional aspiration for me.” In other words, he doesn’t believe that taking on this role would help fulfill some of his personal objectives.

It appears that Idris Elba may not be a contender for the role of Bond at this point, given earlier statements about the next Bond being in his 30s. However, if there’s an unexpected turn of events, he could potentially still be considered.

Jack Lowden

There’s been a suggestion that the franchise might return to its original origins by choosing a Scottish actor for James Bond, like Sean Connery was, and Jack Lowden could be the perfect fit for this role.

Over the past few years, the actor’s shares have consistently increased due to his appearances in movies like Dunkirk, Fighting with My Family, and Benediction. Moreover, his portrayal of River Cartwright in Apple TV+’s spy series Slow Horses has sparked speculation about him becoming a contender for the role of 007.

In the same interview, Kristin Scott Thomas, who stars alongside him in His Slow Horses, expressed her belief that Lowden is capable of handling the demanding role, stating, “It’s an extremely challenging task. However, you would excel at it.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is known for his versatility and popularity as an actor in the UK, and it appears he has the ability to bring the same level of sharpness to the Bond role that Daniel Craig did during his time.

The actor known for roles in Dunkirk and Inception appears intrigued about the role as well, subtly evading questions from reporters to avoid jeopardizing his chances.

In our acting circle, there’s an old adage that discussing such matters (like Bond rumors) immediately disqualifies you. Therefore, it’s not something I can address.

It appears that given his age of 47, it’s quite plausible that Hardy might be too old to play the role now, making him a less viable option.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, star of Gangs of London, has had his name mentioned alongside other potential roles, but he cautioned fans not to get too excited: “I’ve been as short as 6 to 1 odds, and that’s still too close for comfort,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2022. In simpler terms, he’s saying that even though his name has been linked with multiple roles, the chances of him actually getting one of these parts are still slim.

In simpler terms, “Bond isn’t just a regular ruler; he’s more like the one who creates kings. Therefore, the less probable something is, the smaller the chances of someone becoming Bond.

Dirisu showed enthusiasm for the position, and openly admitted to being an avid admirer of the series since his childhood. In an interview with NME in October 2022, he mentioned, “I’ve always had a profound bond with these movies, and they hold a special place in my heart, especially as my father was fond of them too.

He stated: “It’s respectful to be thought of as capable for such distinctly British character, even more so as a Black man. There was quite a bit of racial prejudice concerning Idris Elba’s possible casting for the role. I hope things are improving, but I’m not sure if that’s the case.

Richard Madden

Since Richard Madden shattered TV norms (and won over many hearts) with his award-winning performance in Bodyguard, there have been whispers that he could be the next contender for the role of James Bond.

In 2018, the actor also addressed whispers regarding a highly regarded position, stating that he preferred not to jinx anything by revealing excessive details concerning the speculations.

He expressed great appreciation when mentioned for the potential role, telling GQ magazine that he was both honored and grateful. He also cautioned against speaking too soon, fearing that discussing it might jinx the situation. He described it as an incredibly smart thing to be considered for.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I must confess that my on-screen partner in “Bodyguard,” Keeley Hawes, who brought her captivating portrayal of Home Secretary Julia Montague to life, was more than willing to engage in discussions about the concept at the 2019 TopMob Covers Party.

While on set, she exclaimed to Richard, “‘This feels just like a James Bond scene!'” She shared her thoughts, expressing her excitement about Richard taking on the role of James Bond, adding, “I believe he’d do an outstanding job!

Interestingly, there has been less talk about Madden recently, making him appear as somewhat of an underdog for the moment.

Sam Heughan

Actor Sam Heughan, known for his role in Outlander, frequently expresses his desire to have the character of James Bond return to Scotland, a location last featured during Sean Connery’s tenure as the smooth secret agent.

Previously, Heughan stated to STV News that any actor claiming they haven’t pondered the role would be dishonest. He also expressed his belief that it’s high time for another Scottish actor to play Bond.

Back in June 2020, the actor shared during a chat on ITV’s This Morning program that he was among several actors who tried out for the role of Bond prior to Daniel Craig being chosen. He referred to this coveted position as his long-held dream job.

He mentioned that he tried out for the part during Bond film number 21, which was when Daniel Craig was chosen for Casino Royale, and many British actors were in contention. Of course, it would be fantastic to land such a role as a Scottish Bond – who wouldn’t want to see another Scottish James Bond on screen!

Aidan Turner

At some point, Aidan Turner emerged as a strong contender for the role of the next James Bond, gaining considerable attention following the conclusion of his successful BBC One series, Poldark.

In an interview with i Newspaper back in 2018, he addressed the rumors by saying: “Someone else is taking on that role, and I’ve always found it uncomfortable to discuss it. Lately, this topic has been brought up quite frequently. When it becomes available for free, I plan to check it out. However, right now, it’s not accessible without cost.

As the vacant role awaits confirmation, it’s intriguing to speculate if the illustrious Leonardo DiCaprio will still be contending for the part – he certainly remains a potential frontrunner worth watching closely.

Rupert Friend

At the age of 22, Rupert Friend had an intriguing opportunity presented to him – a chance to audition for the iconic James Bond role following Pierce Brosnan’s departure from the franchise. However, he declined this offer.

In an interview with The Times, the friend stated, “‘It seems premature for me. I require some life experiences first. Bond should embody a seasoned individual,'” indicating that he feels not ready yet due to lack of life experience.

Currently, Friend is quite familiar with action and spying roles, particularly recognized for portraying CIA assassin Peter Quinn in the series Homeland. He further showcased his assassination abilities in the 2015 version of the video game adaptation titled Hitman: Agent 47.

Given his recent life experiences, it’s possible that Friend could consider trying Bond out again if MGM decides to contact him.

Tom Hiddleston

A couple of years back, it appeared that Tom Hiddleston was strongly considered for the role of James Bond, given that there were rumors of him meeting with Broccoli after his successful stint in “The Night Manager.

Initially, there were whispers suggesting a possible collaboration between him and director Susanne Bier for a Bond film. However, these speculations eventually died down until a sudden announcement in April 2017 confirmed Daniel Craig’s unexpected return to the role.

As a movie buff, I’ve heard some intriguing rumors swirling around. Word on the street is that, following Tom Hiddleston’s much-debated speech at the 2017 Golden Globes, Barbara Broccoli might have had second thoughts about him. Now, this isn’t an officially confirmed fact, but it’s definitely sparked some conversations among us film fans!

There’s a possibility, even likelihood, that Hiddleston might revisit the Bond franchise given his significant fame following the success of two highly acclaimed seasons in the Loki series on Disney Plus.

However, his age could make him unsuitable for the role, as suggested by the present betting odds.

Henry Golding

During an interview with Andy Cohen, actor Henry Golding, known for his role in Snake Eyes, also showed interest and expressed his eagerness for the part, even going as far as declaring his candidacy for it.

He mentioned that they might be considering another applicant. Naturally, a suitable individual would express interest. Absolutely, let’s discuss it then.

In a new interpretation, Golding expressed that his qualifications for the Bond role were made clear following his charming portrayal in the romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians.” He further mentioned that it was a privilege to even be thought of for the part.

Goldling went on to say: “Aren’t we in agreement that it’s fantastic when people think, ‘Now is the perfect moment! Why shouldn’t we have a Black Bond, an Asian Bond, a multiracial Bond, or even a Bond without any specific ethnicity?’

2025-02-25 16:19