Bond villains have come a long way since Dr. No threatened to “shatter” MI6. Now, the malicious scientists, organized crime bosses, and flesh-eating zombies behind bars are just some of the many memorable adversaries Bond has had to deal with over the years.
The veteran British secret agent has been thwarting attempted assassinations, sabotaging weapons trials, and generally causing mayhem for over half a century. But after years of filming blockbusters, the legendary James Bond is set to retire in the next movie, No Time to Die. And while the character will continue to appear in scripted films and video games, the big question is: who will step into Bond’s shoes when his time comes to hang up his gun?
Who Wants to Be the New James Bond?
So, who wants to be the next James Bond? In an era when the Marvel Cinematic Universe is gracing our television screens with female-fronted solo heroes and villains, it’s time for the men to step up. While some of Marvel’s leading men have stepped into the limelight following their own franchise successes, none are currently playing the lead role in a standalone film.
In the world of cinema, Daniel Craig has fronted six of the seven films in the James Bond series. With his flawless English accent, icy looks, and penchant for wearing suits, it’s no wonder the British actor has been a hit with audiences worldwide. In fact, his popularity even led to a standalone spin-off inspired by the character, named Octopus. With his iconic role came a whole host of imitators, parodies, and memes. The character even spawned a children’s book series.
However, Daniel Craig announced his retirement from acting in 2016, and while it wasn’t entirely unexpected given his Bond filmography, it still came as a major blow to the British screen industry. Since then, numerous contenders have emerged to fill the void left by Craig. From Woody Harrelson and Clive Owen to Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw, these are the 10 actors most likely to take over the iconic role of James Bond.
Best Guesses for the New James Bond
While we await the arrival of the next James Bond, it’s worth taking a closer look at the contenders for the role. Based on the clues that have been dropped by the film’s creative team and recent news items, here are our best guesses for the new James Bond.
1. Woody Harrelson
The first trailer for No Time to Die was released in January, and aside from a brief glimpse of Daniel Craig’s successor, not much was revealed about the story of Bond 25. The only notable thing was the inclusion of the name Woody Harrelson in the cast list. The actor, who rose to prominence in the 70s for his comedic performances in films like Blazing Saddles and Harold & Maud, has remained a working actor throughout the years, often taking on iconic supporting roles. He’s most recently been seen in Deadpool 2 and Knives Out, and seems like a natural fit for Bond 25.
2. Ralph Fiennes
The next James Bond will be Ralph Fiennes’ last appearance as the character. The German actor has played a key role in several of the most memorable films in the series. Perhaps best known for his performance in Schindler’s List, Fiennes has also appeared in such memorable films as The English Patient, The Constant Gardener, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace. He’s an accomplished actor who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Ulysses S. Grant in Lincoln, and will be remembered for his indelible performance as General Pershing in the HBO series Game of Thrones. So, it’s no surprise that he was chosen to play James Bond for one last time.
3. Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the most respected British actors working today. Primarily known for his work in film, the actor has also appeared in major television shows like The West Wing, Sherlock, and Sherlock Holmes. In 2016, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film The Vice. He’s the quintessential English actor: urbane, charming, and incredibly intelligent. It’s not hard to see why he was chosen to play James Bond for a fourth time in the franchise.
4. Tom Hardy
Another Englishman in the running for the role of James Bond is the acclaimed British actor Tom Hardy. His film career has seen him star in such memorable and popular films as The Dark Knight Rises, The Revenant, Hacksaw Ridge, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Hardy was born in England and raised in Australia, so it’s no surprise that his background is a blend of the two. He’s starred in several HBO series, including Game of Thrones, and was most recently seen on our television screens in The Deuce. While we await the next James Bond film, it’s worth taking a look at Hardy’s impressive resume.
5. Jeremy Irons
The next James Bond will be the great English stage and screen actor Jeremy Irons. Like his colleague Tom Hardy, Irons was born in England and raised in Australia. His film career has seen him play some of the most memorable and iconic characters in cinematic history. He’s best known for his work in films like Reunion, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Mission, Deadalus Rising, and The House of Gucci. After a long career in film, Irons decided to expand his repertoire and take on more substantial roles in plays and operas. He’s won two Academy Awards and was nominated for four more, and has continued to work steadily, appearing in television shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and the Netflix series The Lost Garden.
6. Bernard Hill
Actors aren’t the only ones who have been tipped to play James Bond in the future. In an interview with The Sunday Times in September, filmmaker Peter Jackson, who directed the King Kong remake for which Bernard Hill won an Oscar, said that the renowned British actor would be his choice to take over the role. Jackson said: “Bernard Hill is an actor I respect greatly. I think he’s got a great deal of experience and knows how to bring the right attitude to any role.”
Indeed, before Daniel Craig took over the role of James Bond, Hill had already starred in the part four times. Born in London, he started his acting career in the early 50s, starring in plays like The Man in the Brown Suit and The Deep Blue Sea. However, his career took a major turn when he was 12, when he landed the role of “Young Tom Horse in The Tommy Horse Adventure.” The film won the Oscars, with the horse actor taking home the award for Best Supporting Actor.
Since then, Hill has appeared in dozens of films, ranging from Zulu to The Dark Knight. He’s also made a name for himself as a literary character actor, playing Albert Espionage in Dickens’ Little Miscellany, Abraham Lincoln in Amelia Barton’s Abraham Lincon: The Great Presidential Candidate, and the Duke of Nanterre in Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts. He’ll appear in Jackson’s remake of King Kong, starring as Denmark in the 1950s. So, while we await the arrival of the next James Bond film, it’s worth taking a look at Bernard Hill’s impressive filmography.
7. Michael Caine
Actors aren’t the only ones who have been tipped to play James Bond in the future. In the same interview with The Sunday Times, British cinematographer Michael Caine, who has worked with the legendary Sean Connery and numerous Oscars winners, said that he’d love to play the part. Caine said: “I’d love to play James Bond. It’s one of the most attractive characters there is. I think Bond is very sexy. And, well, I’m English. So it’s in my blood.”