It’s been more than a year since Amazon Studios chose Denis Villeneuve to direct the next Bond film, but we still don’t have an official word on who will take over from Daniel Craig as Bond. It feels like every week brings a new rumor about the next James Bond. As a die-hard Bond fan, I haven’t been thrilled about most of the rumored candidates apart from perhaps Aaron-Taylor-Johnson, but I think he’s too famous and a bit too old for the role.
I share the same sentiments as Debbie McWilliams, the longtime Bond casting director who has worked on Bond films for 40 years, starting from 1981’s For Your Eyes Only all the way to 2021’s No Time to Die. In an interview with The Independent, she shared her opinions on actors Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Harris Dickinson being in the running for 007 (per Variety).
“I don’t want to see any of them as James Bond. It is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma…I don’t want to see any of them as Bond because we now know so much about them. We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are.”
Yep, I completely agree with her, and I have faith in someone who’s actually worked in casting the iconic British super spy and his crew. I’m still not convinced about Callum Turner as a formidable leading man or bona fide action hero. The same goes for Dickinson, who just lacks that undeniable charm needed for the part. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw Elordi’s name. I mean, the dude is 6’5”, which is going to make him stand out like a sore thumb when spies are meant to blend in and be inconspicuous.
The tallest actors to play Bond are 6’2” (Sean Connery, George Lazenby, and Timothy Dalton), so I believe the perfect Bond should be between 6’ and 6’2”. Most of you who follow my blog know about my unwavering love and respect for Timothy Dalton (my all-time favorite Bond), which puts me in good company with Christopher Nolan.
……
I’ve been wishing for years that someone would have the gumption to cast him as a Bond villain because I think he’d be amazing in that role (just check out Hot Fuzz or The Rocketeer if you don’t believe me), or at least cast him as M since he has that commanding voice and piercing stare.
In any case, the current casting director for Bond26 is the iconic Nina Gold, who was nominated for the very first Academy Award for Best Achievement in Casting for her work on HAMNET. She’s one of the most influential casting directors in the industry today, known for her unique ability to spot talent and turn unknown actors into global sensations, often skipping over the usual Hollywood A-listers.
With this in mind, it seems she’s on the lookout for lesser-known, up-and-coming actors to find a mysterious ‘wildcard’ to test alongside the big names that agencies are pushing. I also heard that Villeneuve is getting really involved in the casting, even going so far as to personally call actors for auditions instead of going through the usual casting office channels.
I saw this tweet about what Gold has said about her casting criteria…
Online betting sites are constantly busy updating their odds. As of last week, Turner was still leading the pack (according to ActionNetwork.com), but I checked earlier today on OddsChecker.com and saw that Jack Lowden has now become the frontrunner, thanks to a mention from British TV presenter Richard Osman on his podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment. He suggested that Lowden is being seriously considered and believes the Irish actor would be ‘amazing’ in the role, claiming he has a ‘real Daniel Craig energy’ (whatever that means).
With at least 20 actors rumored to be in the running for the next Bond, here are my top 3 picks for who I’d love to see take on the role:
JACK LOWDEN
Quick Stats: Scottish (English-born of Scottish parents), 36 years old, 6’1”
Ok so I agree with Osman on Lowden, even if he’s a bit older than the “under-35” target range. Before I saw him in Slow Horses, I’d already seen Lowden in the BBC miniseries War & Peace, as well as in movies like Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots, and Fighting with My Family. He’s such a versatile actor, with an extensive stage background, similar to Timothy Dalton, who remains the only James Bond actor to have performed extensively as a core member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Lowden has even won a prestigious Olivier Award for his role in Ghosts.
Will the next James Bond be from Slough House?
How ironic would that be if it actually happened! If you’ve seen the excellent British spy comedy Slow Horses on Apple TV, you know what I’m talking about. It’s basically MI5’s dumping ground, a bureaucratic holding pen for agents who have messed up but still have too much confidential info or are protected by their unions from being fired.
Lowden’s River Cartwright is one of these MI5’rejects,’ and he’s always trying to prove that he doesn’t belong there.
It would be awesome to see another Scottish Bond after Sean Connery. This would pay homage to Ian Fleming’s original literary lore, which established James Bond as having Scottish roots. Lowden has that edge, along with the intellect and vulnerability that would make Bond a well-rounded character.
Here’s an action-packed scene in Slow Horses Season 4 that shows Lowden’s action chops:
If Lowden gets the role of Bond, he’d make history by portraying two iconic literary characters, as he’s also set to play the ultimate period drama heartthrob, Mr. Darcy, from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation. This would be a long stretch, but perhaps his famous wife Saoirse Ronan might have a role in one of the Bond movies alongside Lowden? Not as a Bond girl necessarily, perhaps an adversary of some kind?
LEO SUTER
Quick Stats: English, 32 years old, 6’2”
Suter has been on my radar ever since his roles in BBC’s Sanditon and Beecham House, but I bet most folks recognize him from Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla, where he shows off both his acting skills and his amazing physique. Playing a charming Nordic prince in that series really showcased his talent for leading a huge, physically demanding action franchise. At 32 years old, standing at 6’2” with a killer smile, I genuinely believe he’d make a fantastic super spy. Plus, being English and an Oxford grad, he checks all the boxes for that character.
This Squaremile magazine puts it perfectly:
Obviously he looks the part: not just ridiculously handsome but the right kind of ridiculously handsome, possessing the “dark, rather cruel good looks” described by Ian Fleming, standing at a muscular 6’2. Bond must be equally plausible as someone who can seduce a beautiful woman in the time required to consume a vodka martini and beat up a psychotic giant with steel teeth. Suter requires zero suspension of disbelief in either department.
Suter is now portraying the lead role of DI Thomas Lynley in the BBC/BritBox crime series Lynley. He fits the ideal profile that producers usually seek: he has a strong track record on TV, is physically fit, and is well-respected, yet he hasn’t been overexposed by a big Hollywood franchise.
PATRICK GIBSON
Quick Stats: Irish, 31 years old, 5’9”
Gibson might be the least recognized of the three I’ve chosen, but that could actually play to his advantage. Although he’s among the actors rumored to be in the mix, I genuinely believe he deserves a shot. He seems like a solid pick for the live-action James Bond role since he’s already the official voice and likeness of 007 in the video game 007 First Light.
Check out this AI-generated image of him that someone posted on X: https://x.com/realJonathan4/status/2084438221723766884
The game involves a lot of motion capture for its intense tactical combat, stealth, and stunt scenes, so Gibson has pretty much done the physical groundwork needed for a modern, athletic Bond.
I’ve watched him in The Spanish Princess miniseries and Netflix’s Shadow & Bone, and he definitely has the look and confidence, plus I really dig his deep voice. At 31, he’s actually the ideal age since the studio would probably take 15-20 years to roll out 3-4 films in the franchise.
The one drawback for Gibson is his height… he’s on the shorter side at 5’9″, even shorter than the 5’10” Daniel Craig. I prefer Bond to be at least 6 feet tall, but I’m willing to set that aside if he’s got other qualities, as Gibson does. If he’s cast, he’d be the second Irish actor since Pierce Brosnan to play Bond.
Thoughts on my picks? Who would you like to see as the next Bond?
I think I’ll go with Jack Lowden though I just read the news that Hayden Pannettiere just died at age 36. I’m in shock about this right now as my nephew has become a fan of A Bug’s Life as she is in the film as Dot. This feels wrong.
Yeah, very sad about Hayden Pannettiere… but sounds like she’s had a tough life. So many child actors seem to have tragic ending, so definitely something wrong there.
I think Jack Lowden would a be a good pick but he’s already in another spy show, so I don’t if they would go with him. I don’t know anything about the other two actors on your list here. I still think whoever they choose, it won’t be the current crops of actors that’s being mentioned in the media. I still remember how shocked people were when Craig was announced as the next Bond way back in 2005! Then again, we are living in a different world today, studios people wants popular actors to lead their franchise. I’m very curious who Denis V. will choose to be the next Bond.
I was quite surprised as well that he’s shot to the top of the rumored pick (I think he was in the running a while ago, but way at the bottom), but Slow Horses isn’t a typical spy series, very different from Bond. He ticks lots of the boxes in terms of looks, talent, and that he’s not a big star yet.
I picked the other two, as they’re also rumored to be Bond, and they too seem to fit Nina Gold’s criteria. Out of the three, I actually think Leo Suter would be the perfect pick, as he’s British and 32, and in terms of popularity, he seems to have a pretty decent Instagram following (250k) thanks to the Vikings: Valhalla series.
Yeah very curious who Denis V. would pick!
Totally agree Ruth! And IMHO the new Bond shouldn’t be in more than 2-3 films and if they want to extend to more I guess that’s fine. But I got Daniel Craig fatigue after just the first two or three Bonds he did. He was amazing in them all, can’t remember how many he was in, but it was just too many for my taste. 🙂
Hey Becky! Are you familiar w/ these actors? I think the rule for most franchises these days is at least 3 films, but yeah, I agree that 3 movies should be enough for each Bond actor. I’m still grieving that we never got a third Timothy Dalton Bond movie, they should make up for that by casting him as M or a Bond villain!! 😉
Never heard of any of them until your post, I’m pretty ignorant of all things movies and TV series lately. Don’t know if he’d make a good Bond or not, but if I had to choose it would be Leo, he checks all the boxes for me. And funny, Leo was my grandfather’s name ;-). Yes, TD certainly should have made a third. He was great as the villain in the Paramount+ series 1923. I just about jumped out of my chair with joy when he came across my TV screen, it was further into the season and had no idea he was in it, but what a pleasant surprise!
Whew!
That was exhausting… in a sexy fast cars’n’guns way. I don’t know who any more, but I agree: not over exposed and oozing sex appeal.
From this post I like Leo Suter the best. When the heck do we find out.
My fave Bond is Sean Connery, then Pierce Brosnan… (although he was a bit pretty back then).
Thanks for this FUN post, Ruth!
Ahah, looking at good-looking Brits can be exhausting, mwahahaha!!
I don’t know when we’ll find out, but I think by the end of the year. I like Suter the best, too. I’ve seen him in a few things, and he’s got so much charisma to go with those good looks!
I like Brosnan as an actor generally but not my fave Bond… he’s probably #4 on my list.
Glad you enjoyed the post!
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Gibson was really impressive as a young Dexter. Not sure how I’d see him as Bond though, but I’m sure he would do well with the right build up. Callum’s latest romcom has been badly received which will probably hurt his chances. Dalton really was a great Bond 👊
I haven’t seen Gibson as young Dexter, only in the trailer. I like that he’s got that darker edge, so he’d be similar to Dalton who’ll forever be my favorite! Glad that you think he’s great as well 🙌
I’m still annoyed they cancelled the prequel. Top 5 Bond films?
That’s too bad, but hopefully that’ll free up Gibson for other projects 😉
Top 5 Bond films
1) Licence to Kill
2) The Living Daylights
3) Casino Royale
4) Goldeneye
5) For Your Eyes Only
If only there were at least one more Dalton Bond flick! What’s YOUR top 5 Bond movies?
Nice list! I really do love Dalton but there are a few others I just have to get in there. Not in order, choosing five was hard enough haha.
Thunderball
License to Kill
Casino Royale
From Russia With Love
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Nice! Glad you included LTK! Connery is great as Bond, but somehow I don’t remember much about his movies… apart from You Only Live Twice, simply because of the absurdity of a big, hairy Scot trying to pass as Japanese, LOL
I actually rewatched OHMSS last year, and I liked it more than the first time I saw it. I can see why Nolan loved that movie so much, though I wish he’d direct a Bond movie, as he’d likely cast Dalton in something given that he’s his favorite 007.
Dalton still looks incredible and always has a great presence on screen, so for sure. I’m hoping Nolan will direct one. I know he wants to, but he probably has to films he has to do first. Favourite Bond song?
Hey Alex! I made this post a while ago https://flixchatter.net/2014/08/07/music-break-top-10-bond-songs/
I’m a huge fan of John Barry, so a lot of his songs are my favorites, but out of the newer ones, I love The World Is Not Enough and Skyfall.
I checked it out. Great post!
On Timothy Dalton, “I’ve been wishing for years that someone would have the gumption to cast him as a Bond villain because I think he’d be amazing in that role.” YES! Inspired! How clever that would be too. It’s just like Marvel turning Iron Man into Dr. Doom. Hero –> Villain (but in disguise). Dalton (aka Mr. Prickle Pants) certainly has the chops for super villain. Like in Hot Fuzz, exactly!
Woo hoo!! Glad you agree about Dalton as Bond villain, EF! How amazing and fun would that be! He’s played villains so well in Rocketeer, Hot Fuzz, etc. Yep, similar to Iron Man becoming Dr. Doom.
It reminds me of Harvey Dent’s iconic line in The Dark Knight ‘You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain’
TOTALLY. I was thinking that too, subconsciously🃏
It’s an amazing line from a spectacular film!