Daniel Craig handed in his license to kill back in late 2021 when “No Time to Die” was finally released, but we’re still no closer to finding out who will be replacing him as James Bond. Speculation has increased in recent weeks that the new 007 will be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, somebody who has been regularly linked to the role. Nothing has been officially confirmed, and a production insider said there was “no truth in the rumours.”
Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from talking about whether he would be a good Bond – or who else would be – and the inevitable names have come up.
Idris Elba remains a fan favorite, despite saying time and again that he isn’t interested in playing 007. Other names that get thrown around include Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy, and anyone who has starred in a TV show where they looked good in a suit (hi Richard Madden, Regé-Jean Page, and Riz Ahmed!)
The Potential Candidates for the New James Bond
But who could really be the next James Bond? There are lots of candidates, and we’re (probably) still a long way off from finding out the final choice. But, looking at the Bonds who have come before, we can safely rule out some actors who have been considered the top choice for becoming the next 007.
The Historical Age of James Bond Actors
Let’s look at the data. George Lazenby was the youngest actor to play Bond, having turned 30 the year “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” came out in 1969 (with Sean Connery following at the age of 32). The oldest was Roger Moore, at 46, a full four years ahead of the second oldest, 42-year-old Pierce Brosnan.
The average age of an actor making his Bond debut is 38. It’s unlikely that the 26th movie will come out this year, and even next year would be a stretch. If we say it’ll be released in 2026, then the filmmakers would probably be looking at someone currently in their mid-thirties.
Age and Suitability: Who Fits the Profile?
So where does that leave our favorites? At 51, Elba is already five years older than Moore was, so he’ll be way above the average and an unlikely pick even if he wanted to be considered. Hiddleston (43), Hardy (46), and Luke Evans (44) are also getting a bit long in the tooth.
(Sorry, guys.) Forty-year-olds Aidan Turner and Henry Cavill – who just lost out on the role to Craig for “Casino Royale” – are near the upper limit, while Richard Madden (37), James Norton (38), and Henry Golding (37) are right in that sweet spot.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, meanwhile, is 33, so he wouldn’t be the youngest to make his debut as Bond. He could be 35 or 36 years old when the new movie comes out, which makes him a good fit, purely based on history. Other younger actors such as Nicholas Hoult (34), Jack Lowden (33), and, er, Harry Styles (30) are all names we’ve heard knocking around.
The Case for Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Interestingly, Cavill was 23 when he originally lost out on the role as the producers decided that they wanted an older Bond. They chose Craig instead. How old was he? 38 – the optimum age! Of course, this is all speculation and extrapolation. There’s nothing to stop them from going with a geriatric Bond or a teen 007 – although we can’t see the die-hard fans welcoming that last one.
Now that the Daniel Craig era of the James Bond franchise is over, fans are still wondering: Who will take up the 007 mantle next?
Rumors and Speculations: A New James Bond Era
Well, it seems that a casting announcement is imminent. The Sun reports that Eon Productions has offered the role to Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is expected to sign the final contracts this week. “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it,” a source told the publication.
“The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back. As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”
Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to blockbuster franchises. In 2015 he landed the role of Quicksilver in “Avengers: The Age of Ultron.” You may have also spotted him in recent films like “The Fall Guy,” “Bullet Train,” “The King’s Man,” and “Tenet.”
The Franchise’s Future and Official Statements
The news of Taylor-Johnson’s imminent casting comes after franchise boss Barbara Broccoli disappointed fans earlier this year with a severely limited update about the next Bond iteration. Deadline reported that she was noncommittal when asked about the future of Bond at a recent event: “There’s nothing I can tell you about the next Bond film. There’s nothing. Nothing is happening yet.”
She had previously talked about the unlikelihood of a female James Bond on the Girls on Film podcast: “I don’t think that we should be making films where women are playing men,” she said. “I think we should be making more films about women.” She clarified that she would be open to a nonbinary actor playing the part.
Diverse Possibilities for the Next 007
Although it looks likely that the next James Bond will be Taylor-Johnson, here were our top picks for the ultimate role, including men, women, and nonbinary actors. Take a look.
Lashana Lynch
After her appearance in “No Time to Die,” we can’t help but speculate if Lynch might somehow become the next Bond herself. She recently played Bob Marley’s wife Rita in the biopic “One Love” and was asked in an interview about whether she could be the first female,
Black Bond. She was very humble, asking if she was what people wanted for that role (answer: yes) and disappointingly added that she hasn’t heard anything about a potential future Bond role yet. We can wait.
Jodie Comer
After her turn as everyone’s favorite love-to-hate assassin Villanelle in “Killing Eve,” we can definitely see Jodie as a Bond. Or a Bond villain, admittedly. The woman can do anything, in any accent. Rumors started to circulate that she might be in the running for the role after her Tony Award win in the stage show “Prima Facie,” but now reports say she’s up against Michelle Keegan to be the next Bond girl. Who’s to say where she will end up?
Lupita Nyong’o
A female Bond is still a popular notion, despite Broccoli’s recent statements—and Nyong’o’s name is often thrown into the mix in these conversations. She brought down the house in Jordan Peele’s “Us” and smashed the action vibes in “Black Panther,” so we’d love to see it.
Emma Corrin
Having been a favorite for years since her showstopping performance as Luther, we’ve always had a soft spot for Elba and the idea of him taking on the timeless 007 role. Unfortunately, though, he spoke out last year about the racist backlash he had experienced after speculation over him being the next Bond, saying, “[It] made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting.”
Following his unforgettable turn as the seemingly awkward, evil but albeit innocent-looking Oliver in “Saltburn” (and his small yet memorable part in “The Banshees of Inisherin”), we reckon Keoghan could totally make Bond his own. He has said he’s game, so we guess it’s the casting team’s move.
Conclusion: The Future of James Bond
As the speculation continues, one thing is clear: the next James Bond will have big shoes to fill. Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007 set a new standard for the franchise, blending emotional depth with high-octane action.
Whether it’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson or another contender, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the official announcement. Until then, the debates and discussions will keep the excitement alive, ensuring that James Bond remains one of the most anticipated roles in cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is most likely to be the next James Bond?
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the front-runner, with reports suggesting he has been offered the role and is expected to sign the contract soon.
2. Why isn’t Idris Elba interested in playing James Bond?
Idris Elba has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in the role. Additionally, he has faced racist backlash, which made the idea of taking on the role unappealing to him.
3. What age range are the producers looking for in the next James Bond?
Historically, the average age of an actor debuting as James Bond is around 38. Producers are likely looking for someone in their mid-thirties to early forties.
4. Could there be a female or nonbinary James Bond?
While Barbara Broccoli has expressed interest in casting more women in significant roles, she has indicated that James Bond will remain male. However, she is open to the idea of a nonbinary actor playing the role.
5. When will the next James Bond movie be released?
There is no confirmed release date for the next James Bond movie. Given the current speculation and production timelines, a release before 2026 seems unlikely.