Who will be the next James Bond? The next 007 contenders – rankedHarry FletcherEntertainment – Metro

Daniel Craig is a tough act to follow – who will be the next Bond? (Picture: Getty)

It’s just about the biggest gig in film, but who could hope to stack up to departing Daniel Craig and play James Bond?

The actor bowed out after five outings as 007 after the long-awaited No Time To Die, with his stint in the role stretching back all the way to 2006. 

And while it’s probably going to be a while until we see Bond’s next outing, the recent announcement of Doctor Who’s newest Time Lord – another sought-after role – has fuelled speculation that an 007 announcement could be next.

007 producer Barbara Broccoli previously revealed that she is looking to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond in 2022, as well as categorically denying that Bond will ever be played by a woman.

With the new movie arriving in cinemas this week, here are some of the main contenders for the next Bond – ranked by how well they’d step up to the plate. 

Rege-Jean Page

The next 007? (Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Rege-Jean Page has been linked so heavily with the role of James Bond since his huge breakthrough role in Bridgerton that he had to shut down questioning from Graham Norton earlier this year. 

He insisted he wasn’t allowed to talk about the ‘B word’ during an appearance on his show, saying: ‘Bridgerton is the only B word I am allowed to say – I am not going to talk about the other B words!’

He’s gone from relatively unknown to international heartthrob over lockdown thanks to the role in the Netflix drama and just about everyone has been suggesting he’d be a good fit thanks to his charm and leading man looks

Oh, and one more thing – Bond icon Pierce Brosnan has given him his stamp of approval, which can never be a bad thing.

Ranking: He may be slightly too young at 31. Whatever you do, though, do not bet against it happening.

Current odds: 5/2

Henry Cavill

The actor has never been far away from the speculation (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Physically, Henry Cavill has everything a prospective Bond could ask for and he’s come incredibly close to the role in the past, too. The 38-year-old was Casino Royale director Martin Campbell’s first choice to take over from Pierce Brosnan. However, the studio ultimately decided he was too young and Daniel Craig went on to write his own Bond history instead. 

Taking on the role would makes sense, but he’s been a little too open about wanting the role in the past and saying he’d love the job on a number of occasions. Not all that suave, if you ask us. 

Ranking: A super choice? We’re not so sure.

Current odds: 3/1

Tom Hardy

Could Tom be in the mix? (Picture: Vickie Flores/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

He’s one of the big favourites with the bookies and he looks killer in a dinner jacket, but we just can’t see Tom taking on the role. 

He’s also shown himself to be one of the most selective actors working today, and his idiosyncratic choices in the past suggest he probably won’t gamble on a property as mainstream as Bond next.

Like Idris, Tom is also one of the biggest names in Hollywood already and certainly wouldn’t need the career boost that the role would bring either. Would we like to see it? Yes. Will it happen? We think probably not.

Ranking: We’re up for it, even if Tom probably wouldn’t be.

Current odds: 10/1

James Norton 

Could James be the next name to take the franchise forward? (Picture: Getty)

He’s been linked since his breakout role in Happy Valley back in 2014, and James Norton has the kind of gritty intensity that could serve him well as 007.

He flexed his action muscles in gritty crime drama McMafia and jumped to the top of the bookies’ lists for a while. It’s gone a little quiet recently, but we’re definitely not dismissing the idea – not least because he’s at the right kind of stage in his career to join the franchise. 

Ranking: His name might not have enough clout to get fans all that excited, but he’d be a solid appointment.

Current odds: 10/1

Idris Elba 

The actor has been linked for years – but is it too late? (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Idris has been linked with the role for years and years now, and for good reason. He has all the attributes a charming and tough as nails intelligence officer could ask for, and a wealth of fan support behind him.

But traditionally the job goes to acclaimed actors yet to become household names – Idris is a Hollywood powerhouse already, and would go against the traditional dynamic of Bond appointments. 

Like most movie fans, we think Idris would be a world-class appointment to the role, but he previously said that he feels too old for the role by this point. Bond was in his late 30s and early 40s in the Ian Fleming novels, and the 49-year-old believes it’s too late to start the franchise now.

Still, we can hold out hope, can’t we?

Ranking: The boat has probably sailed on this, but he’d have made a brilliant Bond.

Current odds: 12/1

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy has denied he is set to play Bond – but is still beset by rumours (Picture: Getty Images)

The Peaky Blinders actor has long had his name in the frame to play 007 – and the rumours refuse to go away, even though he has long denied he will be stepping into Bond’s tux any time soon.

In fact he’s got some very specific ideas about who he thinks should take on the role – saying that a woman should be next.

Speaking to The Guardian, Cillian said said: ‘I think it should be a woman, which rules me out.

‘The thing about it is, if you say anything about Bond, it becomes a headline, right? There’s a whole other industry which is completely separate from the film side of things, and that’s the bookies.’

Ranking: Seems an unlikely prospect then – but you never know.

Current odds: 12/1

Daniel Kaluuya

The Get Out star could be an intriguing appointment (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Ever since starring in Get Out, Daniel has been hot property in Hollywood – and after his role in Marvel’s Black Panther, we wouldn’t put it past Daneil to strengthen another global franchise by stepping into the role of 007.

He looks the real deal in a suit, he can play imposing characters with ease (he’s absolutely terrifying in Steve McQueen’s Widows) and if the franchise is looking to take things in a slightly different direction and introduce a younger Bond, he’d be a very strong contender.

Ranking: Get Out and make this happen, guys. 

Current odds: 20/1

Dev Patel

The actor could make a cracking 007 (Picture: James Veysey/BIFA/REX/Shuttersto)

We’re going to say it, Dev is one of the very best British actors working in film today and we reckon he’d do a fantastic job as Bond. 

Thrillers might not spring to mind instantly when considering Dev’s career after breakthrough roles in Skins and Slumdog Millionaire, but he has a penchant for action too. He’s set to direct and star in action movie Monkey Man in 2022, which could yet prove a perfect audition tape for the role of 007.

He might still be a little young at 31, but we wouldn’t bet against this happening at some point in the future.

Ranking: An interesting outsider, bet we’re Dev-initely be keen to see him in the role.

Current odds: 25/1

Robert Pattinson 

Could he be both Batman and Bond? (Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

He’s come an awfully long way since his heartthrob days as Edward Cullen in the Twilight films, and Robert Pattinson is earning his reputation as one of the most talented actors of his generation in Hollywood after roles in independently minded films like Good Time and The Lighthouse.

More recently, he’s come back to blockbusters with turns in Tenet and the upcoming Batman too. While it shows he’s not averse to taking on major roles, straddling two huge franchises in Batman and Bond is probably too much for anyone to handle. As a result, we certainly wouldn’t count on this one just yet.

Ranking: A bat in hell’s chance, but he’d bring something interesting to Bond.

Current odds: 33/1

(All odds courtesy of Ladbrokes)

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