The James Bond franchise is set for a reboot, with Denis Villeneuve directing and Steven Knight writing. This changes the landscape of potential actors for the role. The question on everyone’s mind is: who will be the next James Bond?
This article examines the leading contenders to play James Bond, assessing their likelihood of stepping into the iconic role. It considers factors such as their previous collaborations with Villeneuve and Knight, their acting prowess, and their suitability for the character’s requirements.
From established stars like Aaron Taylor-Johnson to emerging talents like Paapa Essiedu, this article covers the actors in contention, examining their potential to embody the suave, sophisticated, and deadly spy. By analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, this article offers insight into who might be the best fit for the next era of James Bond.
Austin Butler: The American Contender
Austin Butler, despite being American, emerges as a strong contender for the role. Cool and exceptionally good-looking, he possesses an edge that makes him convincingly violent. Butler’s acting abilities and leading man qualities make him a potential fit for James Bond.
Having worked with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two, Butler already has a working relationship with the director. This existing connection could give him an advantage in securing the role. While his nationality might face backlash, Butler’s strengths as an actor could outweigh this concern.
Chances: 8/10
Jack O’Connell: Knight’s Trusted Protégé
Jack O’Connell, known for his role in Steven Knight’s SAS Rogue Heroes, is another potential candidate. O’Connell’s English background and his ability to portray fearless, cool, and charismatic characters make him a strong contender.
O’Connell may excel in character parts, but he also possesses the qualities of a leading man. His on-screen presence and ability to project fearlessness could make him a perfect James Bond. With Knight’s trust and O’Connell’s acting abilities, he stands a good chance of landing the role.
Chances: 9/10
Cillian Murphy: The Experienced Dark Horse
Cillian Murphy’s age might be a concern for a franchise looking to establish a new Bond for a series of films. However, his acting talent cannot be denied. Murphy is one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Instead of casting a new, young actor, the franchise could subvert expectations by choosing an older Bond. Murphy’s experience and acting prowess could bring a unique dimension to the character.
Chances: 6/10
Timothée Chalamet: Villeneuve’s Young Prodigy
Timothée Chalamet, known for his role in Dune, is another actor with a connection to Villeneuve. While not an obvious choice for Bond, Chalamet’s acting ability is undeniable. He is capable of pulling off a killer Bond with charm, grace, wit, and sex appeal.
Chalamet may be too skinny or cerebral for the role. However, he could bring a Roger Moore-style Bond to the franchise. His experience in the action-oriented role of Paul Atreides demonstrates his capabilities as an action hero with brains.
Chances: 7/10
Jacob Elordi: The Brooding Heartthrob
Jacob Elordi, with his brooding dark looks, is a front-runner for the role. Elordi possesses a working-class background, similar to Sean Connery, and can pull off the posh society boy look. His Australian heritage is unlikely to be a significant barrier, as he presents himself as very English.
Young, handsome, and a convincing lady-killer, Elordi ticks all the classic Bond boxes. His ability to embody the character’s various facets makes him a strong contender.
Chances: 9/10
James Nelson-Joyce: The Unpredictable Talent
James Nelson-Joyce is a contender due to his sensational performance in This City Is Ours. He possesses something special that sets him apart from other actors. Nelson-Joyce exudes an edgy vulnerability, making him unpredictable and captivating to watch.
Like his close friend Stephen Graham, Nelson-Joyce is keen on improvisation, and you can’t take your eyes off him. A Scouse Bond could bring a unique flavor to the franchise.
Chances: 8/10
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: The Matured Action Star
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been linked to the role for some time, making him a strong contender. Taylor-Johnson has matured into a seriously good actor, showcasing his abilities in supporting roles in films like Nosferatu and Bullet Train.
Taylor-Johnson can do funny, has a Men’s Health torso, and you can imagine him bringing plenty of self-aware charm to the role. He could bring a deadly serious or more playful approach to the character.
Chances: 9/10
Aaron Pierre: The Handsome Action Hero
Aaron Pierre is a standout choice, showcasing his talent in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge. He’s English, and honestly, he is ripped as anything, an action star who also happens to be so handsome it’s almost criminal.
With Pierre in the role, convincing people that every woman in the world wants to sleep with him would be easy. The first black Bond would be a winning way to restart the franchise.
Chances: 8/10
Harris Dickinson: The Gen-Z Take
Harris Dickinson has shown his pin-up potential in Babygirl, and possesses rare charisma. With Dickinson a Hackney 007 could bring an ultra-cool Gen-z take… which may indeed be where this whole franchise is going.
But Dickinson is a fine actor and you could imagine him having an ultra-cool Gen-z take… which may indeed be where this whole franchise is going. A kind of Hackney 007… oh god.
Chances: 5/10
Paul Mescal: The Hottest Actor of His Generation
Paul Mescal is a top contender. Gladiator II demonstrated his ability to front up an epic action movie. He is a sex symbol with a twinkle in his eye to deliver one-liners, wear the hell out of a suit and is able to go from tough to sensitive in the blink of an eye, something the new Bond will surely have to do.
Since Amazon are going route one with their director and writer – two of the biggest names in their field – they may well just go route one with their star too: Mescal, the hottest actor of his generation.
Chances: 9/10
Theo James: The Solid Choice
Theo James is a solid choice. James looks the part and would make a good Bond. James is too old for it now. Either of them would have been perfect had Daniel Craig left a few years ago, but now?
James would be a solid choice, he looks the part, and would make a good Bond. But it be exciting? Nobody is going to debate Theo James as Bond in a way that they would, say, Aaron Pierre.
Chances: 5/10
Paapa Essiedu: The Exciting New Start
Paapa Essiedu is a strong candidate, with serious stage acting chops, good looks, and can do charm, threat, cool. Above all, he’s believable in everything he touches, an actor who delivers on the character. He’d deliver on Bond. And would be a genuinely exciting new start…
Casting the first black James Bond would be a big and welcome move, which would get the whole world talking… but it would count for nothing if the actor wasn’t the real deal. Which Essiedu most certainly is.
Chances: 9/10
The James Bond franchise is at a pivotal moment, with the selection of a new lead actor set to define its future direction. Each contender brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, offering different interpretations of the iconic spy.
Ultimately, the choice of the next James Bond will depend on the vision of Villeneuve and Knight. Will they opt for a seasoned performer like Cillian Murphy, a rising star like Jacob Elordi, or a groundbreaking choice like Paapa Essiedu? The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching with bated breath as the next chapter of James Bond unfolds.
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