Hollywood needs a new James Bond. Ever since Daniel Craig’s swan song in No Time to Die, the search for the next 007 has been long, tireless, and secretive. The Bond franchise needs a creative reset, which is why the pressure to choose the right actor to play Bond remains higher than it has ever been before. Every name mentioned in reports or on the betting markets is just speculation. However, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson finally shared a clue as to what they’re looking for in the next Bond.
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Broccoli revealed the next 007 will be a man of any race in his 30s. Also, the actor cast will be in at least a “decade’s worth of films.” These rules eliminate popular fan-casting choices such as Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Richard Madden, and Henry Cavill. Even with those eliminations, that still leaves a giant pool of actors to choose from. Here are five names that could follow Craig as the next Bond.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the name most frequently brought up when it comes to Bond rumors. Taylor-Johnson is at the top of most betting markets as the next actor to receive a license to kill. In March, The Sun reported that Taylor-Johnson has been offered the role by the Bond producers. Whether that report is true remains to be seen. However, Taylor-Johnson is a legimate contender to play Bond.
Taylor-Johnson fits all of Broccoli’s criteria. The 34-year-old has dabbled in superhero franchises, headlined by his lead role in Kick-Ass and his MCU appearance as Pietro Maximoff in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Taylor-Johnson’s more recent appearances in Bullet Train and The Fall Guy are good showcases of his comedic skills in action-adventure.
Kraven the Hunter might not win over critics, but Taylor-Johnson’s physicality will be on full display. Throw in his upcoming roles in Nosferatu and 28 Days Later, and Taylor-Johnson is the complete package — an actor with the dramatic and comedic talents to lead a Bond film.
Damson Idris
To some audiences, Damson Idris has been in their lives for almost a decade, thanks to Snowfall. The 33-year-old British actor played Franklin Saint, a Los Angeles drug dealer who rose to kingpin status during the 1980s. Idris’ performance garnered universal acclaim, with many critics citing him as one to watch in Hollywood. Other than Snowfall, Idris’ biggest film role came in 2021’s Outside the Wire.
Idris’ inclusion on this list is a bet on F1, Joseph Kosinski’s action film arriving in June 2025. Brad Pitt headlines F1 as Sonny Hayes, a former racer who comes out of retirement to mentor a young hotshot driver, played by Idris. F1 is Kosinski’s follow-up to Top Gun: Maverick and one of the most anticipated blockbusters of 2025. If F1 becomes a hit, it could catapult Idris’ career, similar to how Glen Powell soared to stardom after Top Gun: Maverick.
Harry Lawtey
If Harry Lawtey ends up getting the job, all credit goes to Deadline’s Justin Kroll for putting out the suggestion. Lawtey is the youngest name on the list at 28, but by the time the next Bond film comes out, he’d meet Broccoli’s age preference. 2024 was a big year for Lawtey thanks to his roles in Industry and Joker: Folie à Deux.
In Industry, HBO’s excellent drama set in London’s financial sector, Lawtey plays Robert Spearing, an Oxford grad trying to earn his spot at a prestigious investment bank. Robert is vulnerable and the one the audience empathizes with the most, a hard task while being surrounded by greedy and selfish characters. Joker: Folie à Deux was a critical misfire, but Lawtey’s performance as Harvey Dent highlighted the stoicism needed to play Bond. Combine that with Robert’s sensitivity, and Lawtey has the chops to 007.
Aaron Pierre
If you didn’t know about Aaron Pierre before 2024, chances are you realized his star potential in Rebel Ridge and bought all of his stock. The 30-year-old Brit only appeared in three films before this year: Old, Brother, and Foe. Other than that, Pierre’s noteworthy roles came on television on shows like Krypton, The Underground Railroad, and Genius.
Rebel Ridge was a legitimate star-is-born moment for Pierre. He’s tall, handsome, and magnetic on the screen. Pierre carried himself in Rebel Ridge like an A-list action star, combining quiet confidence with brute force to create an everyday hero. What might be holding Pierre back is his busy schedule. Pierre will be in The Morning Show season 4 and DC Studios’ Lanterns. Bond or not, Pierre is on a rocket ship to stardom.
Harris Dickinson
Harris Dickinson has a leading man presence with the taste of a character actor. After securing main roles in Trust and King’s Man, Dickinson has shifted from blockbuster entertainment to gritty, complex parts. Over the past three years, some of Dickinson’s standout work includes Triangle of Sadness with Ruben Östlund, The Iron Claw with Sean Durkin, and Babygirl with Halina Reijn.
The name that comes to mind when thinking of Dickinson is a young Brad Pitt. Looks? Check. Darker projects? Check. Willingness to work supporting instead of holding out for the lead? Check, check, and check. Babygirl is going to elevate Dickinson to leading man status. Based on his affinity for independent film, Marvel or DC appear to be off the table. Bond, however, feels like the right combination of strong character work with popcorn entertainment that would appeal to Dickinson.
Read the full article here
