Who Will Be The Next James Bond?
After years of speculation, the question still remains—which notable actor will assume the iconic role of 007?
Who will be the next Bond? Chatter has been circulating among certain prominent actors since Daniel Craig, who played the sly secret agent for five film installations, formally hung up his tuxedo.
Some of the most acute speculations on who will portray the legendary British spy next have been directed at Aaron Taylor-Johnson. In March 2024, The Sun reported that The Fall Guy actor Aaron Taylor Johnson received a formal offer to step into the shoes of James Bond after impressing producers during a confidential screen test at Pinewood studios. Taylor-Johnson did nothing to quell the buzz when speaking to Numero. He did play it coy and cool: "I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment," the British actor shared. However, a source told the Daily Mail that the Bond role was his if he wanted it.
Despite Taylor-Johnson's potential shoo-in casting, breakout stars like House of the Dragon actor Fabien Frankel and White Lotus heartthrob Theo James have also generated rumors about becoming the 8th actor to portray Bond since the franchise's inception in 1962.
Hijack actor Idris Elba was a favored choice among the public for the role. However, Elba ruled himself out of contention during an appearance on the Radio X morning show, citing his age of 51, which is considered older for a typical Bond candidate.
Speculating about who will be the next Bond is always fun, whether or not Taylor-Johnson signs on the dotted line. Here at L’OFFICIEL, we have gathered some actors (and actresses) who have been creating a lot of buzz about who will be filling those shoes. Whoever the next incarnation of Bond will be, these are the frontrunners who are rumored to be short-listed for this iconic role.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
According to The Sun, the Avengers: Age of Ultron actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson blew producers away during a secret screen test for the upcoming thriller. Perhaps he could be the next James Bond?
Furthering the rumors that he is a top choice for the role when asked about it in a recent interview with Esquire, Taylor-Johnson did not address the speculation, but he didn't deny it either.
Jeremy Allen White
Star of the comedy-drama series The Bear, Jeremy Allen White responds to rumors about him potentially being the next James Bond. On November 13, 2023, White shared in a video interview with GQ, "An American shouldn't play 007... but that's very flattering."
Lashana Lynch
Lashana Lynch was in the conversation to play the next James Bond, however, producer Barbara Broccoli has specifically stated that the next 007 will not be a woman. Given that Lynch is already a character on No Time to Die, there could be the possibility for a spin-off where the story focuses on her.
Andrew Garfield
The Amazing Spider-Man alum has the credits to support the action-adventure movies. His charming onscreen presence will make him a great option to take over James Bond.
Harry Styles
Could Harry Styles be the next James Bond? Maybe. The actor has been proving himself in the acting industry with his recent films like My Policeman and Don't Worry Darling, perhaps we can expect more of his music and acting in the 007 franchise.
Nicholas Hoult
The 32-year-old Mad Max: Fury Road actor looks great in a suit. And he will look great on the set for Bond. Nicholas Hoult has been acting in action-adventure films since his days as Beast in the Marvel films. His charm, charisma, and elegance will make him a great choice to play the role.
Damson Idris
With all the rumors that had been swirling around the next James Bond, Damson Idris was already part of the conversation with Broccoli. And his action roles in movies like Outside the Wire will make him a great choice to play the part.
Miles Teller
The role of James Bond has traditionally been played by a British actor, and although Miles Teller is not, his name has been thrown into the hat of options. He's another actor who has taken roles in the action realm, with credits that span from the Divergent series to Top Gun: Maverick.
Regé-Jean Page
With Bridgerton being his major TV role, Regé-Jean Page is now leading in major films. The actor has appeared in the highly-anticipated Dungeons and Dragons movie that released in early 2023. Although he is only just building up his acting credits among the titans of Hollywood, he would make a great Bond.
Tom Holland
The Spider-Man: No Way Home star has been in conversations for the role on a few occasions. He even pitched the idea of a young Bond reboot to studio executives.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill has been in conversation to play the role for more than a decade. Rumor has it that he lost a role in the film 300 due to his focus on getting the role of James Bond.
John Boyega
The Star Wars alum John Boyega has a huge potential of becoming the next James Bond. He already carries a number of credits to back up his contribution to the franchise. The Pacific Rim: Uprising actor could take on the lead and become the first Black James Bond.
Fabien Frankel
The French-British actor became the talk of the town after starring as the dreamy Ser Criston Cole in the fantasy drama series House of the Dragon. With his growing celebrity and prestige and natural charm, the 30-year-old actor could definitely fit the bill to be the next Bond.
Matt Smith
The Doctor Who actor has successfully usurped the roles of several notable British cultural figures, including Prince Phillip in the Emmy-nominated series The Crown. If anyone can take on the challenge of filling as big of shoes as Bond, indeed he can.
Theo James
The England native has plenty of experience starring in action-packed films, such as his role as the brooding Tobias Eaton in the dystopian Divergent franchise. However, James expressed hesitation in assuming the role. In an interview on SiriusXM, the actor said, "They need to really go with a reinvention of it in a different way and that wouldn’t be me.”