In 2006, Daniel Craig made his debut as James Bond in the film Casino Royale and went on to play the British spy in five films over the span of 15 years. He joined the likes of Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan, all of whom have portrayed 007 on screen.
With No Time to Die ending Craig's run as Bond, there now remains a vacancy, and fans wonder who will be the next James Bond. While the producers have said there isn't going to be a rush to cast the character, Hollywood can't help but wonder who will win the sweepstakes. With so many intriguing options out there, it's hard not to think about them.
10 Nicholas Hoult Fits The Bill
It has been said that two of the specifications the next Bond will need to meet is that he must be British and in his 30s. Nicholas Hoult fits both of these traits, as he's both from England and is currently 32 years old. Hoult also has quite a fine acting background.
Hoult is most known for playing Hank McCoy in the X-Men franchise, but has more recently appeared in Mad Max: Fury Road and The Favourite. With his newest movie, The Menu, coming out, Hoult finds himself once again back in the spotlight and with the perfect opportunity to take on Bond.
9 Andrew Garfield Is Already Very Popular
If the Bond producers wanted to go with someone very well-established, Andrew Garfield wouldn't be a bad choice. Garfield had his big breakout with David Fincher's The Social Network in 2010 and has since shown his acting versatility.
Garfield has played many types of roles throughout his career, from a war hero in Hacksaw Ridge to a struggling composer in Tick, Tick... Boom! Of course, he's also the web-slinging Spider-Man, most recently appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home. With a range like that, Bond should be no issue for him.
8 Kit Harrington Is Used To Drama
Kit Harrington doesn't have a ton of movies in his filmography, but the actor is no stranger to drama, having spent eight seasons playing Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. This role has shot Harrington up into popularity, and with the show having come to an end in 2019, the next role awaits.
Enter James Bond, or at least the possibility of James Bond. Harrington fits all the criteria and is used to playing the same character for a long period of time. Maybe it's time to trade dragons and swords for cars and guns.
7 Richard Madden Could Be A New Type Of Bond
Game of Thrones seems like it could be a melting pot of potential Bonds, and Richard Madden should be right in the mix. He's known for playing Robb Stark in the HBO show and has also appeared in well-known films like Rocketman, 1917, and Eternals.
However, Madden would be breaking new ground as James Bond, as he'd be the first Scottish actor to play the role since Connery. While the producers have been clear about a British actor taking on the mantle, Madden has the acting skills to not only play Bond, but master him.
6 Chiwetel Ejiofor Is An Award-Winning Actor
While he may be in his 40s now, Chiwetel Ejiofor would be a fantastic James Bond. Having been nominated for an Academy Award for his role in 12 Years a Slave, Ejiofor is a seasoned vet who would undoubtedly bring his own creative spin to the role.
Not only is Ejiofor a phenomenal actor, but he's also worked with some of the best in show business, including Steven Spielberg, Richard Curtis, Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuarón, Ridley Scott, and Sam Raimi. Needless to say, he knows what he's doing in any role.
5 Robert Pattinson Has Already Become One Famous Investigator
Robert Pattinson has come far from his Twilight days, as he has quickly asserted himself as one of the best young actors working today. He has starred in some great films, such as Good Time, The Lighthouse, and Tenet, all of which showcase his talent.
Perhaps Pattinson's best role yet has come in this year's The Batman, taking on the role of the caped crusader. In what is a very gritty investigative version of Batman, Pattinson lets his true acting chops come out. Surely with the experience he's quickly gotten and the large range he has, he could make a superb Bond.
4 Tom Hiddleston Has The Charm
If there's one actor who has the charm to play James Bond, it's Tom Hiddleston. Hiddleston is no stranger to playing a character for a long time, having been recurring as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his debut in Thor in 2011. Loki is a trickster and very suave, which fits Bond very well.
While Hiddleston is now 41, he still maintains all of the attributes necessary to play Bond. While his commitments to Loki and the MCU may get in the way, it's hard not to see a perfect Bond in him.
3 Regé-Jean Page Is A Breakout Star
Although he's officially been active since 2001, Regé-Jean Page had his breakout in 2020, starring in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton as Simon Basset. However, he has since announced he wouldn't be returning for Season 2.
This can only mean one thing, Page's schedule is a lot more open. While it can't be assumed that Bond is on his radar, he checks off every box and would be a natural fit. He'd also be the first Black James Bond, which would be huge for the franchise.
2 Idris Elba Was Born For The Role
Idris Elba is probably one of the most recognizable actors working today, and he's been in quite a lot of projects over the years. From the MCU to the DCEU to many great standalone films, he's established himself as a generational talent. The only thing that seems to be missing is that one defining role.
However, Elba might be too little too late. He's currently 50 years old, and with the role requiring a 10- to 15-year commitment, he might be past the Bond stage. Hopefully, that's not the case, as his gritty, dramatic acting style would be perfect for Bond.
1 Henry Cavill Would Be A Prototypical Bond
Henry Cavill is 39 years old and already has a ton of big roles to his name. He's been Superman in the DCEU, Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, and Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes. While he certainly has become a big name in the industry, he could add one more role to the list.
Cavill has all the makings of a James Bond and would fit the role seamlessly. It almost seems too good of a fit for Cavill, but one that many would love to see. Given his age, he could be Bond for a long time, too.