James Bond producers rule out MAJOR actors with new role requirement
In their search for Daniel Craig's replacement
Last updated 5th Oct 2022
After Daniel Craig walked away from the iconic role of James Bond following the latest instalment in the franchise, No Time to Die, fans have been questioning who will take over the prestigious part.
There have been many big names put forward for the role of 007, including the likes of Idris Elba, Henry Cavil and Tom Hardy. While producers have confirmed that casting has not yet begun they have now revealed some requirements for the role that narrows down the selection process for the secret agent.
Producer Michael G. Wilson has revealed that they are looking for an actor who is in his 30s to play James Bond. Speaking to Deadline at a James Bond event at London's British Film Institute, Michael said: "We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualise it doesn’t work.
"Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something."
While these comments rule out younger actors, such as Harry Styles and Tom Holland, it also seemingly rules out actors who are no longer in their 30s, including Idris Elba who is 50, Tom Hardy who is now 45, and Tom Hiddleston at 41-years-old.
It does still leave the role open to the likes of Bridgerton actor Regé Jean-Page who is 34, Richard Madden who is 36, as well as 39-year-old Henry Cavil, among others.
Take a look at all of the rumoured James Bond actors:
Idris Elba
Idris Elba has been leading the way in the James Bond odds for a number of years now, with many thinking he is the perfect candidate to be the first ever black actor to land the infamous role.
However, Idris has seemingly shut down the rumours on a number of occasions. He told Esquire, "When you get people from a generational point of view going, 'It can't be.' And it really turns out to be the color of my skin. And then if I get it and it didn't work, or it did work, would it be because of the color of my skin? That's a difficult position to put myself into when I don't need to."
It was also confirmed by producers that they are looking for someone in their 30s, while Idris is now 50-years-old so he is unlikely to take on the role.
Tom Hardy
Another popular actor who has been in the rumour mill since Daniel Craig confirmed he would be stepping down! Tom has certainly played similar roles in the past, so we think he'd make a brilliant Bond!
He has previously said, "There's a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting… that if you talk about Bond rumours you're automatically out of the race. So I can't possibly comment on that one!" While he is a little bit over the ideal age producers are looking for, he could still be in with a chance!
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Initially stealing the hearts of teens across the country with his role as Robbie in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Aaron Taylor-Johnson continued to raise his household name status as he appeared in huge titles such as Kick-Ass, The King's Man, Outlaw King and The Fall Guy. No stranger to playing an action-packed role, he's appeared as Pietro Maximoff in Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron, as well as Tangerine in Bullet Train.
Aaron has proved to be one of the most popular contenders for the upcoming Bond role, with former James Bond actor himself, Pierce Brosnan, giving his blessing.
Lashana Lynch
With a lot of discussion about whether the next James Bond would be portrayed by a female actress, Lashana Lynch was certainly up there, with the actress already playing the role of a new 00 agent in No Time To Die.
However, producers have since confirmed that the role will be portrayed by a man, but there will be bigger roles for women in the upcoming films, so we might still get to see her return!
Henry Cavill
He's already a superhero having played the role of Superman, but it sounds like Henry Cavill is certainly up for playing the role of Bond! Speaking to GQ, he said: "At this stage, it's all up in the air. We'll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting."
With Henry stepping down from his roles in both The Witcher and Superman, fans are convinced that he could be suiting up to be the next 007!
Aidan Turner
Poldark actor Aidan Turner has been linked to the James Bond role for as long as we can remember, but it was clear he wasn't open to discussing it whilst Daniel Craig was still the leading man.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Aidan previously said: "There's someone else playing the role – I always feel weird talking about it. It's come up a lot in recent times. When it's free, I'll have a look at it. But it's not free now."
Harry Styles
After making his film debut in Dunkirk in 2017, then starring in hit films Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman, former One Direction singer Harry Styles has reportedly been in talks with Bond bosses.
However, despite the rumours, Harry's representative told the Mail Online that the reports 'aren't even remotely true' and it seems as though he is a bit too young for producers' liking anyway!
Richard Madden
Irish actor Richard Madden stole the hearts of the nation when he appeared as Sergeant David Budd in BBC drama Bodyguard.
Speaking to GQ about the rumours, Richard said: "I'm more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I'm very flattered and thankful. It's a really brilliant thing to be in.
"I don't want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that's the curse of that. If you talk about anything, you'll curse it."
Tom Hiddleston
Despite a tonne of speculation about Tom landing the Bond role, the actor seemingly shut down the rumours at the Wizard World Comic Con.
He said: "I don't think that announcement is coming. I am very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. Your guess is as good as mine, to be honest."
Cillian Murphy
We love him in Peaky Blinders and we can totally imagine Cillian Murphy ordering a shaken, not stirred martini!
However, it sounds like Irish actor would like to see a female James Bond, telling GQ: "It's incredibly flattering to be in that conversation. I think it should be a woman."
At 47-years-old Cillian is a little outside of the age requirement for the role, but we can still hope!
Robert Pattinson
R-Patz is no stranger to major movie roles, having played both Edward Cullen and Batman to name a few.
Christopher Nolan is being rumoured to direct the next Bond movie, and of course he's worked very closely with Robert in the past.
John Boyega
Star Wars actor John Boyega is another rumoured name in the running for the famed 007 role, and at 31-years-old he pretty much fits the producers' age requirement!
Paul Mescal
The nation fell in love with Irish actor Paul Mescal following his role as Connell Waldron in BBC series Normal People. So, while he may be a bit too young for the role, could bosses be tempted to hire Paul as 007 due to his popularity?
Henry Golding
After being introduced to the world in 2018 rom/com Crazy Rich Asians, Malaysian-British actor Henry Golding has been tipped to become the next Bond.
Speaking to the BBC, Henry said: "It's a crazy, crazy idea, but stranger things have happened. I'm just excited for Daniel Craig. Y'know, he's been my Bond."
James Norton
McMafia actor James Norton is often at the top of the bookies list when it comes to who will be the next James Bond. His recent roles have seriously showcased he has what it takes to play 007, so it wouldn't be a massive shock if he was unveiled!
James's on-screen mum Diane Keaton would also like to see the actor play Bond, telling Sky News: "Don't you think he's going to be the next James Bond? We were all talking about it on the set of Hampstead. He ticks every box - he's beautiful, he's a man, he's very sexy, he is smart and he even went to Cambridge."
Jodie Comer
With rumours previously suggesting that bosses were keen on a female Bond, a move which would mark the first-time in history, Jodie Comers' name was doing the rounds.
Responding to the rumours, Jodie teased "never say never"! And despite producers having now confirmed the next Bond will be a man, there will be a number of big female roles coming up in the new films...
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson hasn't been shy in expressing how much he would love to play the role of Bond, admitting that he would like to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, who played a Bond villain back in 1967.
Speaking about playing the world-renowned role, Dwayne said: "Yes, my grandfather was a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice with Sean Connery. It was very, very cool. And I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond. I don't wanna be a villain. Gotta be Bond." While this would be cool to see, The Rock seems to be a bit outside the age-range producers are looking for.
Regé-Jean Page
Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page took on the role of a CIA agent in Netflix film The Gray Man, and after seeing his performance directors Joe and Anthony Russo have recommended him for the role of James Bond, saying: "He has more charisma in his pinky than most people do in their entire body. We'd watch him do anything."
Tom Holland
The actor has certainly proved himself in recent years, starring as Spider Man alongside huge names such as Zendaya and Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as showing off his action film skills as Nathan Drake in the film Uncharted. While he might be the perfect fit for the next 007 movie in some ways, according to producers he might be too young to play the veteran spy!
Lucien Laviscount
Lucien Laviscount is known for his role of charming Alfie in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris - and with him fitting into the producers' age range perfectly, could he be a running contender for the next Bond?
Jamie Dornan
Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan is known for his lead role in the Fifty Shades franchise, as well as his starring role in The Tourist. He has also appeared in huge titles such as The Fall, A Private War, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time. Speaking on the rumours he could be the next 007, he said: "I just am not one of those people who give it a huge amount of thought."
While it was thought for a while that we might get to see a female Bond, the producers have also revealed that they are looking for a man to play the part. However, Michael's half-sister and co-producer Barbara Broccoli did mention that there will be bigger female roles in the upcoming films in an interview with Variety.
We might still be a while away from finding out who will be cast in the role, Barbara previously told Deadline: "There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond.
"We’re reinventing who he is and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away."
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