The Front Runners to Become 007

With No Time to Die finally out in cinemas, Daniel Craig has said goodbye to the most important role of his career, the worldwide famous British spy, James Bond. As a result, many have begun speculating on who can replace him and take on this legendary character.

While the bosses at Eon Productions (responsible for the Bond saga) have recently refused to discuss this subject at least until 2022, many names have already been suggested. In this article, we will go over some of these figures and their past work.

Tom Hardy

Known for his magnetism and intense performances, Tom Hardy is no stranger to big roles. Hardy has worked with some of the biggest stars and directors in the industry, featuring in massive productions, such as Venom, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises, The Revenant, Inceptions, among others. As a result, it is no surprise the actor is currently priced at odds of 5/2 and is the top bet according to online gambling markets to become the next James Bond.

Possibly, at this stage, the only aspect going against him is that he is a bit of a too obvious choice. While he fits the role perfectly, Hardy’s career has also been marked by his interest in smaller productions and more unconventional roles, and becoming Bond might be an unexpected move for him.

Moreover, taking on Bond’s character is a long-term commitment and one you can’t just walk away from to do other projects, which might not please Hardy. Ultimately, he is still the obvious choice, but Bond producers have taught us not to expect the obvious.

James Norton

The British actor has for a long time been associated with the 007 franchise, with many reports claiming a deal between him and the producers of the films has been reached as far back as 2019. While Norton has dismissed these claims on several occasions, he is still considered a strong contender for the role.

Known for his work on series such as The Trial of Christine Keeler, BBC One’s 2019 War and Peace, Happy Valley or Grantchester, Norton has the experience to take on a massive challenge as playing one of the most iconic characters in cinema. Additionally, his part in McMafia has already demonstrated he can handle a gun while wearing a fancy suit.

Perhaps, the only thing holding him back is his lack of experience in the film industry, having only taken part in a handful of big-scale productions, such as his small role in the Greta Gerwig film, Little Women.

Regé-Jean Page

Regé-Jean was a stranger to the wider audience until very recently, however, the massive success of Netflix’s show Bridgerton has turned him into a rising star. In his role as Duke, Page was full of humour and charisma and his character instantly become a fan favourite. However, with his character arc over, he is not expected to return for the second season.

Before his big break on Netflix, Page had previously acted in a version of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and on the BBC series Waterloo Road. He was also part of the cast of ABC’s For the People and had minor roles in the films Mortal Engines (2018) and Sylvie’s Love (2020).

Passionate about music, Regé is part of the musical duo TUNYA, alongside his brother Tose, proving that he is a man of many talents. At 31, Page is the perfect age to be the next Bond, and his relaxed personality would certainly bring a new life to James Bond’s character.

While these three names are currently the favourites to take on this legendary role, you should also keep an eye out for other big names such as Luke Evans, Idris Elba, Henry Cavill or Tom Hiddleston.