01of 09Jay Maidment/Eon/Danjaq/Sony/REX/ShutterstockDaniel Craighas long won over audiences with his rugged physique, beguiling allure, and ability to dominate a tuxedo—all essentials for the James Bond fit kit. But theSpectreactor, 50, who announced he’d be completing his tenure as the coveted British agent in next summer’s 25th franchise film, is handing over his weapons to a few notable contenders.SinceSean Connery’s adaptation of Ian Fleming’s character in the 1960s, the Bond prestige has only grown throughout the decades, starring Hollywood icons like Timothy Dalton,Roger Moore, andPierce Brosnan. Though Craig was the first on-screen “Blond Bond,” the next 007 could cleave even more traditions—fromCharlize TherontoIdris Elba, click ahead to see who could be set to take on the master of stealth.
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Jay Maidment/Eon/Danjaq/Sony/REX/Shutterstock
Daniel Craighas long won over audiences with his rugged physique, beguiling allure, and ability to dominate a tuxedo—all essentials for the James Bond fit kit. But theSpectreactor, 50, who announced he’d be completing his tenure as the coveted British agent in next summer’s 25th franchise film, is handing over his weapons to a few notable contenders.
SinceSean Connery’s adaptation of Ian Fleming’s character in the 1960s, the Bond prestige has only grown throughout the decades, starring Hollywood icons like Timothy Dalton,Roger Moore, andPierce Brosnan. Though Craig was the first on-screen “Blond Bond,” the next 007 could cleave even more traditions—fromCharlize TherontoIdris Elba, click ahead to see who could be set to take on the master of stealth.
02of 09Sam HeughanRich Fury/WireImageThe first Scottish contender since Connery’s performance,OutlanderstarSam Heughan, 38, earned a wave of fan support following his role in the upcoming action comedy,The Spy Who Dumped Me, starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon. The blue-eyed heartthrob, who starred in 2007’sA Very British Sex Scandal, showed off his inner Bond in a series ofInstagramposts, including a celebratory selfie passing his motorcycle test—a possible stuntman indeed.
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Sam Heughan
Rich Fury/WireImage
The first Scottish contender since Connery’s performance,OutlanderstarSam Heughan, 38, earned a wave of fan support following his role in the upcoming action comedy,The Spy Who Dumped Me, starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon. The blue-eyed heartthrob, who starred in 2007’sA Very British Sex Scandal, showed off his inner Bond in a series ofInstagramposts, including a celebratory selfie passing his motorcycle test—a possible stuntman indeed.
03of 09Tom HardySamir Hussein/WireImageTheDunkirkandMad Maxstar, 40, long rumored to be the next potential 007, has a significant backer for the cause—a former Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan. “I thinkTom Hardycould be a good Bond. I’d be happy to see him do it. You need an actor who can put a bit of wiggle into it—that’s what makes Bond,” Brosnan recently toldEsquire. And Hardy has certainly proven himself.A box office luminary, Hardy’s stealth and versatility stretch from his one-man filmLocke(2013) to double-leading roles inLegend(2015) and the Bond preview-esque character in Christopher Nolan’sInception(2010).
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Tom Hardy
Samir Hussein/WireImage
TheDunkirkandMad Maxstar, 40, long rumored to be the next potential 007, has a significant backer for the cause—a former Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan. “I thinkTom Hardycould be a good Bond. I’d be happy to see him do it. You need an actor who can put a bit of wiggle into it—that’s what makes Bond,” Brosnan recently toldEsquire. And Hardy has certainly proven himself.
A box office luminary, Hardy’s stealth and versatility stretch from his one-man filmLocke(2013) to double-leading roles inLegend(2015) and the Bond preview-esque character in Christopher Nolan’sInception(2010).
04of 09Idris ElbaJ. Countess/WireImageRumors of theLutherstar, 45, picking up Craig’s ammunition first began during the Sony Pictures leak in 2014, when an email from senior executive Amy Pascal allegedly revealed she wanted him to star as the next British secret agent.Though at the timeIdris Elbaseemed excited about the prospect, saying he would “Absolutely” accept the role if it was offered to him on aReddit AMA, the chances ofThe Wireactor starring as the first Black Bond slimmed as he announced the return of theLutherseries in June.
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Idris Elba
J. Countess/WireImage
Rumors of theLutherstar, 45, picking up Craig’s ammunition first began during the Sony Pictures leak in 2014, when an email from senior executive Amy Pascal allegedly revealed she wanted him to star as the next British secret agent.
Though at the timeIdris Elbaseemed excited about the prospect, saying he would “Absolutely” accept the role if it was offered to him on aReddit AMA, the chances ofThe Wireactor starring as the first Black Bond slimmed as he announced the return of theLutherseries in June.
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Priyanka Chopra
Splash News Online
06of 09Charlize TheronJason LaVeris/FilmMagicNo stranger to the risky spy business,Charlize Theron’s jaw-dropping performance as the sensual yet stone-cold agent inAtomic Blonde(2017) has left fans reeling in support of the Academy Award winning actress.The South African star, 42, who,accordingtoThe Hollywood Reporter, did 98 percent of her own stunts and fight scenes in the mystery thriller, hasn’t ruled out being next in line for the Bond throne.“You know, I don’t have a feeling about it one way or the other,” the Tully actress toldYahooin May, “I love the idea that people are thinking outside the box.”
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Charlize Theron
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
No stranger to the risky spy business,Charlize Theron’s jaw-dropping performance as the sensual yet stone-cold agent inAtomic Blonde(2017) has left fans reeling in support of the Academy Award winning actress.
The South African star, 42, who,accordingtoThe Hollywood Reporter, did 98 percent of her own stunts and fight scenes in the mystery thriller, hasn’t ruled out being next in line for the Bond throne.
“You know, I don’t have a feeling about it one way or the other,” the Tully actress toldYahooin May, “I love the idea that people are thinking outside the box.”
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Henry Cavill
Jamy/Barcroft Media/Getty
Since then, however, Cavill’s film record almost resembles a build-up to the distinguished position, playing spies in bothThe Man From U.N.C.L.E(2015) and more recently, an agent in the last of the hit American action franchise,Mission: Impossible—Fallout(2018).
08of 09Tom HiddlestonJesse Grant/GettyTom Hiddleston, 37, has drawn support to step into 007’s shoes through his critically acclaimed performance as Jonathan Pine, the charming spy in BBC’s hit drama series,The Night Manager.TheThorvillain addressed the rumors in 2016 with certain skepticism, remaining excited nonetheless. “I don’t think that announcement is coming, but I am very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. Your guess is as good as mine, to be honest,” he toldCinemablend.
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Tom Hiddleston
Jesse Grant/Getty
Tom Hiddleston, 37, has drawn support to step into 007’s shoes through his critically acclaimed performance as Jonathan Pine, the charming spy in BBC’s hit drama series,The Night Manager.
TheThorvillain addressed the rumors in 2016 with certain skepticism, remaining excited nonetheless. “I don’t think that announcement is coming, but I am very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. Your guess is as good as mine, to be honest,” he toldCinemablend.
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Aidan Turner
Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic
source: people.com
