Who will play the next James Bond villain? All of the rumoured names
Fans are speculating over who will take on the infamous role 👀
Since curtains on Daniel Craig's reign as the world-renowned James Bond back in 2021, rumours have been rife over who will play the role next, as well as who will record the honourable soundtrack - but that's not all we're curious about, with many throwing names in the mix for who will play the next Bond villain.
It's fair to say that the requirements of a Bond villain follow a certain niche, with previous names playing the coveted roles incuding Richard Kiel, Joseph Wiseman, Mads Mikkelsen and, most recently, Rami Malek. Although casting for the next Bond film is yet to be confirmed, we've rounded up all of the rumoured names so far...
Who will play the next James Bond villain? All of the rumoured names:
Cillian Murphy
With such powerful and memorable performances in shows such as Peaky Blinders, and the thrilling blockbuster film Oppenheimer, fans think Cillian Murphy would be the perfect fit for the next Bond villain - with him being one of the most popular names thrown in the mix.
Tom Hardy
Well verse in portraying complex characters with a hint of menace, in titles such as The Dark Knight Rises and Venom, Tom Hardy would be a strong contender for the next Bond villain.
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman is no stranger to portraying a charismatic yet chilling role, from his captivating performance as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise, to his portrayal of Zorg in The Fifth Element - making him a great contender for the next Bond villain.
Daniel Kaluuya
following his stand-out performances in films such as Get Out and Nope, it's clear that Daniel Kaluuya has all the makings of brining the next chilling Bond villain to life.
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe's chilling charisma and signature evil smirk give him the key ingredients for the perfect Bond foe, as seen through his intense screen presence in roles such as the Green Goblin in Spiderman 2. Many fans have thrown his name in the mix when it comes to who will play the infamous role of the next Bond villain.
Idris Elba
Idris Elba is another popular name in the running for the next Bond villain, with many even keen on the Luther actor playing the role of 007 himself. Although Idris has seemingly confirmed he won't be playing the special agent, could he be swayed to play the new villain?
Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci's undeniable talent and charm would make for the perfect formidable Bond villain. His ability to portray intelligence and ruthlessness, as shown through his unforgettable performances in titles such as Shutter Island, make him a top contender for fans.
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan became a household name following his chilling performance in the film Saltburn, with the unsettling character development in his role showcasing his incredible talents. As well as fans gearing up to see him return as the Joker, following his appearance at the end of 2022's The Batman, they're also keen to see him try his hand at playing an iconic Bond villain.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has pretty much become synonymous with the James Bond movies in recent months, with him being pinned as a top contender to play the 007 agent himself - however, many fans are even more keen to see him play the devilish villain in the next film.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult's talents have been clear from a very young age, with him having the perfect blend of qualities to make the perfect mysterious Bond villain. From his roles in titles such as Skins, The Menu and Tolkien, it's clear he has what it takes to portray a cunning manipulator, with the ideal blend of wit and ruthlessness.
Leo Woodall
After his stand-out role in the 2024 Netflix series One Day, Leo became a household name, and it's fair to say that demand for the actor skyrocketed. With many keen to see him play the special agent 007, many others think he has the makings of the perfect Bond villain.
Lucien Laviscount
British actor Lucien Laviscount has reporedely caught the eye of Bond bosses after his role in Netflix series Emily In Paris. Speaking about the rumours on Good Morning Britain in May, Lucien said: "Listen, if the Bond phone call came in, you don't turn that down. That would be something pretty special I'm sure. I think it's one of the most iconic British roles and I'd love to be in the mix for that!"
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