These are the actors, and only actors, who should play James Bond next
The name's diversity, racial diversity.
The first poster from the latest James Bond instalment: ‘No Time to Die’ just dropped and it shows a dapper Daniel Craig standing in front of a blue wall and that’s pretty much it. The next 007 film comes out April 2020 in what will be Craig’s last outing as the British secret agent. Let’s be frank, he’s gotten a bit tired of the role and quotes from 2017 of him saying he’d “rather slash his writs” than play the role again shows his enthusiasm is flat out gone. The plot of the new film is largely unknown and its anyone’s guess what will become of Mr Bond. He’s definitely going to be replaced as Bond, we just don’t know in what context this will be – whether the franchise is given a full reboot, 007 is killed off or the actor is simply replaced – we haven’t a clue. But let’s not over complicate things and imagine the actors who could follow in Craig’s footsteps, and join the group of 7 actors who have played James Bond already. Here are my suggestions to the casting director of the next James Bond film:
Tom Hardy
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of my top choices. Tom Hardy has acting range superior to most. Hardy’s recent filmography has been incredibly impressive and he keeps getting cast in movies with top directors for a reason. The fact he’s worked with Nolan three times: Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Dunkirk (2017) and Alejandro G Inarritu in The Revenant (2015) shows he’s well admired and has chops. Plus, we need the next Bond to be a bit of more dark and brooding, and addition to having sizeable charm. Hardy might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s time to ruffle some feathers.
Idris Elba
For years, everyone has been clamouring for this and for good reason. This would be a dream casting, for many, for so many different reasons. We’ll get a proper Londoner, who’s a bit of a lad playing Bond. Why the hell not? Elba should be a serious candidate for the role who has something actors wish they had, a distinct, booming voice. When he opens his mouth, his cockney/geeza accent commands the screen and sets him apart. I’ve never seen Luther, but everyone I know who’s seen it, loves it. But Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) and Beasts of No Nation (2015) showcased that he’s amongst the best British actors working today. If you think James Bond can’t be portrayed by a black actor, you’re stupid. The character’s racial identity is not explicit in the books nor does it matter one iota. It’s time for a fresh take, and Idris Elba would bring that.
Dev Patel
Ok, I confess, I’m a big Dev Patel fan. But who isn’t? He’s likeable, he’s kind of goofy but he would be an out of left field pick to be the next Bond. I feel constantly frustrated that Dev Patel isn’t in more films and feel he’s an actor worthy of carrying the baton and could carry the next 3 or 4 Bond Films with ease. He’s shown such diversity in the roles he’s taken over the years ranging from Slumdog Millionaire (2008), to Lion (2016) to Hotel Mumbai (2019). He’s been underutilised and under-appreciated, to a large degree, but within those films he’s shown he has the ability to now play an iconic film character such as James Bond. British Asians haven’t had many brown heroes to look up to on the big screen. I think Dev could be the man for the role.
The Rock
I’m just kidding, relax.
Henry Cavill
Superman and Bond? Save some roles for the rest of them, Henry. This would be a slightly safe choice, as Cavill fits the cliché stereotypes of a Bond. However, Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) demonstrated that Cavill can not only grow a moustache, but he can play characters with a bit of edge to them. With whatever direction the new Bond goes in, we can be rest assured that this choice would satisfy the masses. Rumours are that he’s been approached before and it would be not shock me if it happened again. Cavill could play arguably America’s most iconic character as well as Britain’s most iconic character, at the same time. If this happens Henry, please get your agent something nice.
David Oyelowo
Oyelowo’s name has barely been mentioned in the Bond conversation, and I’m irritated. This guy is a tour de force when he’s on camera. He blew me away in Selma (2014) when he played Martin Luther King Jr. when others might have crumbled under the scrutiny and pressure of playing such an iconic and important figure. He’s had a lot of success in the theatre too, taking on roles in Shakespearean classics such as Othello or Henry VI. He’s actually played Bond already – in an audio book for a new officially commissioned Bond book written by Anthony Horowitz. My issue with some of the Bonds before, is that they’ve been very average actors. I mean Pierce Brosnan is mediocre in terms of his acting ability at best. Oyelowo is an elite thespian, and it’s time we get a bit more skill and nuance with the character. I have no doubt no one could do this better than Oyelowo.
Robert Pattinson
No this isn’t a joke. Ok, let’s get the obvious out the way. Pattinson played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and Edward Cullen in the Twilight films. He was pretty terrible in both, but the latter, in particular, made him look like an untouchable commodity in Hollywood moving forwards. However, Pattinson has chosen to be selective in the roles he now takes and has appeared in more lower-budget Indie films such as Good Time (2017) and Lost City of Z (2017). For anyone who was sceptical about his ability to challenge himself and play rolls that are much more demanding, those questions have now vanquished. Much of this pick is based on the fact that Pattinson is gearing up for what looks like an insane 3 year run. The Lighthouse (2019) hasn’t yet been wide released, but he’s gained critical acclaim and there’s been plenty of Oscar buzz. He’s currently filming Tenet (2020), the latest movie from Christopher Nolan. Oh, and he just got cast as the new Batman. This guy is destined for great things, believe me.
Henry Golding
Golding’s acting resumé is short but his abilities are not. Most will know him from Crazy Rich Asians (2018), but he was actually a BBC presenter until 2014. That film was a box office juggernaut and showed how an all Asian cast could be a major hit with audiences. Wake up filmmakers! But for me, he was the best part of the film, he showed that he can be a leading man and has bags of charm to go with it. I have a sneaky suspicion he’s already one of the favourites for the role. I mean look at the guy in a tux, he can obviously be Bond.