As one of the most famous fictional movie characters of all time, James Bond is quite a difficult role to cast. Casting director Debbie McWilliams told Entertainment Weekly, “It’s somebody who can hold their own, who is attractive, physical, capable of taking on not just the part but all the razzmatazz that goes with it”. It’s nearly been 20 years since Daniel Craig was cast as the suave secret agent, as many fans disproved of Craig’s initial casting, mostly based off his looks alone. However, it wasn’t long until the actor won the world over and quickly cemented his portrayal of the iconic character; as one of the best.
It may be a long wait until we finally receive the news about who will be playing the next James Bond. As Barbara Broccoli, a producer for the hit franchise, stated in an interview with Variety Magazine that “it’s going to take some time” and “it’s a big decision, it’s not just casting a role, it’s about a whole rethink about where were going”
Many names have been floating around in discussions about who should be cast as the character. Here are five leading actors we think would be great as the eighth incarnation of James Bond.

5 Michael Fassbender

It’s no secret that Michael Fassbender is a great actor; you just have to look at his filmography, and the plethora of awards he has won and was nominated for. While more recent films like, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Assassin’s Creed and The Snowman were not his greatest works, with the movies being torn apart by critics and being ultimately forgettable, this was no fault of the Academy Award-nominated actor. Fassbender can hold his own in action scenes, with his role in Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire; the Irish-German actor was pitted against the UFC champion; Gina Carano. This scene was fast, brutal, and perfectly performed by both actors. His role in the action movie just proves that Fassbender is a great candidate to take on the iconic role; James Bond.

4 Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is an actor who can disappear into every role he plays; from Bane and Bronson, to Mad Max and the Kray Twins, Hardy can take on any role and make it his own. The Academy Award-nominated actor has the suave, physicality, and acting chops to be great as the next 007. Tom Hardy has a lot of experience with action scenes in his movies; the bar brawl in the movie Legend, when he broke the Batman’s back in The Dark Knight Rises, and of course his training with MMA for the movie Warrior. Due to the actor’s MMA training for the movie, he has since become a huge fan of martial arts, which gives the actor the physicality and experience with fighting needed for the actor to disappear into the role as the iconic secret agent.

3 Idris Elba

Being at the front of fan casts for who should play the next James Bond for many years, Idris Elba would make a great casting choice for the role. Elba could bring a more serious and grittier version of the character, due to his iconic role as Luther in the hit BBC series of the same name. The show displays the actor’s ability to give an emotionally complex character, and the depth needed to make audiences care and fall in love with his characters. Elba fits the dictionary definition of “suave” to near perfection, with the actor oozing confidence, charm, and elegance. The actor is possibly one of the coolest guys in Hollywood, and deserves the role just for that.
The actor is nearing his 50s, so if he were to take up the role, he may not be in it for long, however, if the Bond franchise is to go in a direction similar to Logan, being a dark, gritty, character driven by a more personal story, Elba would bring the role to life and give the character a much-needed gravitas.
Related: Idris Elba’s Best Moves and TV Shows

2 Richard Madden

Despite starring in the hit series Game of Thrones and the MCU movie The Eternals, Richard Madden isn’t necessarily the most well-known actor; however, this is usually who the casting directors aim for when casting the role. Those who recognize his work, claim that the Scottish actor would be a great fit for the role. Madden’s role in the six-part series Bodyguard created a buzz around fans wanting to see the actor in the iconic role, as he was playing a serious police sergeant with an incredibly stoic performance; perfect for the role of 007.

1 Henry Cavill

The fan-favorite casting choice to don the iconic tux, Henry Cavill, has had a lot of fans praying for this casting to really happen. Cavill has had previous experience playing a tux-wearing secret agent with his role in The Man From U.N.C.L.E, and the actor could bring the spy skills from that movie into the role of Bond. The actor also played the role with a lot of charm, charisma, and confidence, which made fans immediately want to see Cavill as 007.
Unfortunately, Henry Cavill recently lost his role as Superman from the DCEU, but was praised for being possibly the best portrayal we have seen to date. Cavill deserves the role of James Bond not just for having the acting chops for the role or because of his previous roles being fairly similar to that of the iconic secret agent, but due to Hollywood’s recent treatment toward the incredibly talented actor.

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