Who Can Be The Next James Bond? 14 Names For The Race

The spy saga will start a new chapter when acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, known for his Oscar nods, takes charge behind the camera. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Mohamed Hozyen Ahmed/Wikimedia Commons

The search for the next James Bond for the 26th film is furiously underway. Who will he be? To help with the search we offer our 14 picks for the brand-new Agent 007...

Bradley Cooper

First up, naturally, is charming Bradley Cooper. In films like American Sniper and A Star is Born, he's shown he can handle intense drama. We can easily visualise him taking on the 007 mantle.

Pic: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters

Sam Worthington

Films like AvatarTerminator Salvation, The Killer have shown that the Aussie actor has that rough-hewn cinematic style and natural toughness that could give Bond a new chemistry.

Pic: Kind courtesy Dick Thomas Johnson/Wikimedia Commons

Henry Cavill

He became a household name when cast as the iconic hero in Man of Steel and then Batman v Superman. Strong screen presence, polished charm and his attractive sectoral heterochromia (different coloured irises) make him a natural fit for 007.

Pic: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Jason Statham

His bald pate only strengthens his tough-guy image. The British actor, known for his sharp moves in The Mechanic, Snatch, Fast and Furious series, who once worked as a street seller hawking fake perfumes, has been noticed for his 007 potential. The Guardian wrote: 'There was no doubt Statham can walk the Bond walk'.

Pic: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Benedict Cumberbatch

All the Cumberb-tches (his female fan club) would love to see good ol' Ben graduate from Sherlock, Doctor Strange, The Imitation Game to Mr Bond, right?

Pic: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Jamie Foxx

With his charisma and flair -- just see Collateral and Django Unchained -- the Oscar winner could bring a smooth, self-assured touch to the role of Bond. Couldn't he?

Pic: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Austin Butler

The Anaheim boy, who appeared in Disney film Hannah Montana at 16, has been turning heads since his powerful performance in Elvis (2022). At 33 he just might fit the bill for a more youthful J Bond.

Pic: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters

Pedro Pascal

Part-Chilean, part-American, he gained lotsa notice for his Din Djarin in space-themed show The Mandalorian and Joel in HBO’s gripping end-of-the-world drama The Last Of Us. We can see him, pistol in hand, women hanging on his arm, taking his place in the Bond series. 

Pic: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Jude Law 

Can the man who essayed Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes, a younger Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts films, a space commander in Captain Marvel (2019) pull off the 007 role with his immense charm and experience?

Pic: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Idris Elba

Won't the English star rock the James Bond role? Winner of a Golden Globe, shortlisted for three BAFTAs, six Emmys, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, his roles in the Thor franchise, The Suicide Squad, have turned him into one of the highest-grossing actors.

Pic: Reuters

Regé-Jean Page

The Bridgerton actor, with his height and seductiveness, has the makings of a very dashing James Bond. His performance in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves suggests he would be good for action scenes too.

Pic: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Chris Pine

Widely recognised for playing James T Kirk in the Star Trek reboot films (2009–2016), and Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman and its sequel, the Californian star would need some language lessons should he join the Bond franchise.

Pic: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Michael B Jordan

He has strong credentials: Action-ready (Creed I, II, III, Black Panther), intense screen presence (Fahrenheit 451), emotional range (All My Children). The accent will need loads of work.

Pic: Allison Dinner/Reuters

Prithviraj Sukumaran

Put Prithvi in a 3-piece suit and whatta Bond he will be. The Mallu star, with more than 100 titles to his name, has a certain panache. And why can't Bond be an Indian man? About him we say too: His accent will need loads of work.

Pic: Kind courtesy IMDb
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