Who Will Be The Next James Bond?
Who on earth will be the next James Bond? It’s a question that’s been on the lips of the film industry’s kingmakers since Daniel Craig first discussed hanging up his tuxedo. Now that he has, following his fifth outing as the martini-sipping secret agent in No Time to Die, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive once again.
Among those who were being spoken of as strong possibilities? Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton’s dashing Duke of Hastings; Henry Golding, who won hearts in Crazy Rich Asians; and Lashana Lynch, who took on the 007 code name in the latest blockbuster while Bond was in exile. Then, in November 2022, reports emerged that Nowhere Boy’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson had also become one of the frontrunners, after impressing the franchise’s producer, Barbara Broccoli, during a top-secret screen test. Now, over a year later, The Sun has reported that he’s been “formally offered the job”, though a production insider has told BBC News that there is “no truth in the rumours”.
As we wait for more news, browse all the possible contenders for the role below.
Dominique Charriau/Getty Images1/25Aaron Taylor-Johnson
In many ways, the Kick-Ass star is a no-brainer to play Bond: he’s accustomed to stunt work; showed his versatility in Nocturnal Animals (for which he garnered a Golden Globe as well as a BAFTA nomination); and at 33, is the perfect age to sign on to a franchise that could require more than a decade’s commitment. We could easily see the High Wycombe-born actor donning a sharp suit and sidling up to a poker table.
David M. Benett2/25Regé-Jean Page
“If you’re a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown, that people regard well, then people start saying the ‘B’ word,” Bridgerton’s former leading man has said of the rumours that he could be the next James Bond. “It’s like a merit badge… I’m glad to have the badge, I’m glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge, but it’s a badge.” Sounds quite like 007-esque pragmatism, if you ask us.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images3/25Theo James
Since he showcased his acting chops and, ahem, other assets as the smarmy, philandering finance bro Cameron in the thrilling second season of The White Lotus, the Brit has become a front-row fixture. But does the actor – who’s been a regular on big and small screens for over a decade, having appeared in everything from Divergent to Sanditon and The Time Traveler’s Wife – have what it takes to fill Bond’s shoes? Given the calibre of his recent work and his smouldering good looks, we certainly think so.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images4/25Damson Idris
Back in 2020, the South Londoner – who’s starred in Snowfall, Outside the Wire and Swarm – admitted to Vogue that he loves fashion “a little bit more than acting”. “All I wear is suits,” he said. “I love feeling like Bond.” It’s been that way since he was a child, he explained, adding that his mum would dress him in a three-piece and shiny gold shoes for birthday parties where he would be “twirling my apple juice thinking it was a martini”. Now, the 32-year-old’s name is in the mix for the role, and it’s no wonder – he’s an accomplished actor with experience making action blockbusters, and an impeccably-dressed front row regular to boot, frequently seen at Louis Vuitton and Prada.
Jerritt Clark5/25Henry Golding
The British-Malaysian dreamboat could certainly make a bid to be the first Asian Bond. He was characteristically modest when asked about the speculation by Vogue, saying: “Even to be in that conversation, it’s an honour, but it’s out of my hands.”
Getty Images6/25Lashana Lynch
When it emerged that the rising star would play Nomi, a formidable operative who inherits James Bond’s licence to kill after he decamps to Jamaica in No Time to Die, many wondered if she was poised to succeed Craig. “It would depend on a lot of things,” she told Vogue when asked if she would accept the offer. “Nomi represents one thing in this movie, but if she was going to represent more down the line, I would want to talk about the black female experience to the high heavens, and I don’t know if people are ready for that.” Here’s hoping that door is still open.
Rodin Eckenroth7/25Robert Aramayo
As the politically-minded, half-Elven Elrond in Amazon’s big-budget blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the 31-year-old Hull native shot to prominence – and got those Bond rumours swirling with his charm and quiet heroism. He’s a dab hand with a sword – eagle-eyed viewers will also recognise him as the young Ned Stark from Game of Thrones – but could very well trade it in for a Walther PPK.
Jamie McCarthy8/25Sam Heughan
Best known for Outlander and The Spy Who Dumped Me, the Scottish actor has been open about his desire to take over. “I have been up for Bond,” he said on the podcast Just The Facts with Alex Zane. “I went up for it when they did ‘Bond 21’ [Casino Royale]. It was an amazing experience and I was completely out of my depth. But I think now I feel the right age for it. I feel capable enough to do it. I’d love the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring.”