The Next Bond ?

20th March 2024

Every day, it seems we have more and more rumours about who will be the next JAMES BOND 007 in the long running spy film franchise.

Some of these rumours are little more than clickbait, others seem a little more well founded.

Note : throughout the rest of this blog ‘actor’ is used to cover both male and female actors. 

A few of the actors that have been ‘linked’ to the role include :-

• James Norton
• Idris Elba
• Rege-Jean Page
• Henry Golding
• Theo James
• Lashana Lynch
• Tom Holland
• Tom Hiddleston
• John Boyega
• Henry Cavill
• Cillian Murphy
• Luke Evans
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson, in the last few days

There are many more. It’s a coveted and important role.

And the right actor must be selected.

As a massive James Bond fan, both in literature and on the big screen, here’s MY view on it.

Replacing Daniel Craig is a massive thing. 

Almost impossible.

But NOT impossible.

I think Bond producers will want and need a new Bond actor to be around for 5/6 films, it’s a huge disruption changing Bond actors, and they wont want to do it again for a while, if possible. 

Taking that account, and the time to make a film and develop the scripts for future films, that feels like a commitment approaching 15-20 years.

Bond films have been very physical in recent times, and the new Bond probably needs to carry this on, physical and mental fitness will be important.

It feels to me that to meet these needs the new Bond will need to be aged 30–40 NOW, so that will include and exclude certain actors.

Ok, a biggie now.

Could Bond be female this time ?

Absolutely YES. 

Bond producers could definitely decide on this way forward and select a female Bond. And there are a few that could fill this role brilliantly.

However, going back to the origin of Bond, in the writings of Ian Fleming, and it’s clear that Bond is male. 

Yes, producers could separate the bond designation with the 007 designation to come up with whatever way forward they wish.

But it still feels to me that Bond is male and should remain male.

And others may have a different view on that, and that’s ok.

So, let’s get to the point.

Who do I want to be the next James Bond ?

Well, I believe that Richard Madden, star of BBC’s Bodyguard series would make a fantastic next James Bond.

Richard has the right look, can handle the physicality of Bond, is a great actor and importantly is in the right age range, born in 1986, and approaching 38 at time of writing.

If you haven’t see the BBC series Bodyguard at all, or recently, I would highly recommend you having a look at it (again).

The truth is, any of the actors in the list above would make an excellent next James Bond.

But my choice for the next James Bond is RICHARD MADDEN.

A final option, and an almighty wildcard, would be filling the shoes of Daniel Craig with ….. DANIEL CRAIG.

It would not be beyond the ability of the producers and writers of a new Bond film to find a way of bring back Daniel Craig, if he wanted to do another film. And he has been an incredible Bond.

As I have said to many, Sean Connery was the DEFINITIVE Bond, and Daniel Craig was my FAVOURITE Bond.

Personally, I don’t think this is as outrageous as it sounds.

One finale note, this blog has been written by someone who thought selecting Daniel Craig as the last new James Bond was a HUGE mistake !!!

How wrong I was, and I am delighted to acknowledge and admit that.

So, that’s my view on the next Bond, who do you think it should be ?

Feel free to comment with your choice and why, below.

Thanks for reading.

Graham

Twitter : @apple_shwn

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