Someone suitable this time would be nice.

I know I might catch flak forb this, since I know the idea bothers purists, but I really wouldn't mind seeing Idris Elba give it a go. He's suave, handsome, and physical but not in the brutish way that Craig is. I know a lot of people like Hiddleston but, and he'd be fine, but I'd like to see so something a little unexpected this time. Less UFC fighter, more classic Bond, but with a little danger and subtlety.

@AlienFanatic
Ignoring the "honestly, it's not because he's black" brigade, I'd like to have seen Idris Elba in the role as well - very much the right choice based on attributes you mentioned. Not sure about now though - mid 40s already, so a couple of films in and he's going to be looking past it.

I really hope it's not Hiddleston - I just can't get past that "old man" hairline, it just looks too odd for a gentleman of his age...

After these two often mentioned candidates though, who else is there?

Aidan Turner, Michael Fassbender or Tom Hardy.

Though I'd prefer Hardy to stay with Mad Max, I'd love a Nolan trilogy of Bond films, featuring Blofeld and his cat.

@The Midi-chlorian Count said:

@AlienFanatic
Ignoring the "honestly, it's not because he's black" brigade, I'd like to have seen Idris Elba in the role as well - very much the right choice based on attributes you mentioned. Not sure about now though - mid 40s already, so a couple of films in and he's going to be looking past it.

I really hope it's not Hiddleston - I just can't get past that hairline, it just looks too odd for a gentleman of his age...

After these two often mentioned candidates though, who else is there?

Thing is, and I know it's a stereotype, but I'm a big believer that "black don't crack." Look at Samuel L Jackson, Will Smith (four years older than Elba), and Denzel Washington. All of them are still credible action stars who still look youthful enough to carry their action hero roles. I think that Elba could pull off at least four or five pictures before his tenure expires. He's also much more fit than Moore, who didn't stop playing Bond until 58.

Lol! This thread it starting to feel like an early draft for Get Out Part 2.

@NotoriousRio said:

Aidan Turner, Michael Fassbender or Tom Hardy.

Though I'd prefer Hardy to stay with Mad Max, I'd love a Nolan trilogy of Bond films, featuring Blofeld and his cat.

I had thought about that Poldark chap but thought he'd scrubbed up a tad Michael Sheen-ish when I saw this picture:-
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/and-then-there-were-none-viewers-hail-aidan-turner-as-top-choice-for-next-james-bond-a6789306.html?amp

I see that article also suggests Damian Lewis but I'm not sure the world is ready for a ginger Bond quite yet...

Never seen him in anything but Jack Huston (who looks more the part I'd say) now being suggested:-

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/james-bond-bosses-drawing-up-10005055

I'd love to see Idris Elba as well. He is the coolest man on the planet and british so it makes total sense. Unless you are hung up on James Bond being white.

@wokeones said:

I'd love to see Idris Elba as well. He is the coolest man on the planet and british so it makes total sense. Unless you are hung up on James Bond being white.

I'm hung up on James Bond being white because that's how Flemming created him.

I would like to see an unknown take the role.

@ausfem

I second that, if people are so desperate to see Idris Elba as a spy why not have him play 002 or whatever, I'd love to see Bond team up with him, leading to an Idris Elba spin-off movie, but James Bond is written as a white dude, it would mess up the whole continuity if he changes race all of a sudden, then goes back to being white a few years later, a blonde Bond was bad enough! James Bond is one guy not a codename used by different people, he's the same as Batman, Tarzan, Sherlock Holmes etc.

@wokeones said:

I'd love to see Idris Elba as well. He is the coolest man on the planet and british so it makes total sense. Unless you are hung up on James Bond being white.

I've said further up the thread I'd like to have seen Elba as well but think he's probably missed the boat age-wise now for a run of films...

What I was going to say though is that this is a bit of a curious position to have I guess - no hang ups on race but it "makes total sense" for the actor to be British? Maybe the net should be getting cast a bit further, i.e. any mid 30s actor, any race, any nationality 🤔

You need an actor who is sensual and masculine at the same time as being able to pull off the whole bond thing.

• Hiddleston is probably too dainty.
• Either Elba or Jude Law might be too old unless they do a very short run of back-to-back films, should have gone for either of them 5-8 years ago. Would have been PERFECT.
• Tom Hardy, works. Could be very interesting. I'd love to see it.
• Henry Cavill. works, but a lot would depend on the writing/directing. I can see it being amazing or mediocre.
• Statham. Can't see it. Would make a very good bond villain.
• Benedict Cumberbatch. Nope.
• Fassbender. Would be great in my opinion.
• Bale. Would be great as well, but you have the whole batman and patrick bateman thing...
• Robert Pattinson. Could probably make a better bond girl than play 007 ;)
• Unknown actor (someone from theatre)? I doubt they'd take the risk. Will be a corporate decision ultimately.

You could go for non-british actors, but they'd have to be able to come off as british on screen and fit the other criteria for bond. Very difficult to pull off convincingly. Can you recommend many actors who have pulled this off in bond age range/profile?

Personally, I'd love to see them go for more limited run of films (different bond every film) so we can see Bale, Hardy, Fassbender, Elba and maybe someone new all take the role over the next decade. But that won't happen. Marketing challenge.

I always thought Gerard Butler would have been a good pick. But he's too old now unfortunately.

Forget Tom Hardy, Aidan Turner would be perfect, he's still young so we'd get a good number of 007 movies with him. I don't wanna see an actor too old get it, and turn into a craggy old Bond like Craig has.