The search for the newJames Bondhas been underway since actor Daniel Craig officially hung up the mantle after the release of his final Bond film,No Time To Die, in 2021. Craig was theseventh actor tapped to portray Bond. Now that Craig has retired from the role, rumors are swirling around a number of young British actors who could become the next 007, and most of them can be found in one film.
Among the popular speculative castings for James Bond is 34-year-oldAaron Taylor-Johnson, the star of Sony Pictures’ upcomingKraven the Hunterfilm. However, Taylor-Johnson isn’t the only British actor who could take on the persona of 007. In fact, Christopher Nolan’s 2017 filmDunkirkstars a multitude of British stars who should be in the running to replace Craig as James Bond.
James Bond 26 Being A 1960s Movie Could Finally Use One Part Of Canon That All 007 Movies Ignored
There’s one aspect of the James Bond novels that hasn’t been fully brought to the screen, and a 1960s Bond movie is the perfect opportunity.
Tom Hardy, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Luke Thompson, and Fionn Whitehead
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardyis no stranger to action-packed car chases and high stakes. The star ofMad Max: Fury Roadand theVenomfranchise, Hardy has proven his ability to perform the stunts required of James Bond. He also has the emotional range that would make for an interesting Bond with the capacity to be incredibly charming (as seen inInception) and terribly menacing (The Dark Knight Rises).
Tom Glynn-Carney
Thanks to his starring role as Aegon II Targaryen in Max’sHouse of the Dragon,Tom Glynn-Carney’s star power is currently on the up. However, Glynn-Carney has yet to show his physical prowess, which is an important aspect of James Bond’s mythology. Lack of physical ability aside, Glynn-Carney has proven himself incredibly charming, both on screen and off, which could make for an interesting twist on the character.
Jack Lowden
Scottish actor Jack Lowden would also be a fitting match for the next James Bond. Not only does he match the Bond team’s age requirement (he’s 34), but he also has had prior experience with action films, having been the star of the psychological thriller filmCalibre. Lowden would also be the second Scottish actor to portray 007 after Sean Connery, who originated the role on film.
Luke Thompson
Luke Thompson may have only briefly appeared in Nolan’sDunkirkas a warrant officer, but the 36 year old English actor is about to spearhead the fourth season of the Netflix showBridgerton. Depending on whenJames Bond26 is set to be released, hisBridgertonboost may be enough to secure him the coveted role.
Fionn Whitehead
Fionn Whitehead was the primary lead in Nolan’sDunkirkas Tommy, in which he performed a number of stunts. This would make him an excellent candidate to replace Craig as James Bond. He also starred in the interactive filmBlack Mirror: Bandersnatchand the 2020 thriller filmDon’t Tell A Soul, both of which proves that Whitehead has the chops to convincingly perform the tense moments James Bond often finds himself in.
Dunkirk Also Stars Actors Who Could’ve Played Bond Before Daniel Craig
Kenneth Branagh, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy
In addition to boasting five actors who could play Bond now, the film includes three actors who could have worked in the role before Daniel Craig took it on in the 2000s. One is Irish actor Kenneth Branagh; he’s been on the scene since English actor Roger Moore was the face of the James Bond franchise, more than 10 years before Craig started his career. Branagh would have had no trouble embodying the secret agent.
There’s alsoCillian Murphy, whom former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan endorsed as Craig’s successor. However, Murphy could have portrayed 007 before Craig ever got the role thanks to his starring roles in films such as28 Days Later,Batman Begins, andRed Eye. Unfortunately, it seems as though Murphy is not in the cards for the future of the franchise as the 48-year-old has stated that he is too old to take on the role.
An actor who could have played the characters years before any of them is Michael Caine. Michael Caine’s career has spanned over eight decades, so it comes as no surprise that he was allegedly offered the role ofJames Bondafter Connery stepped down thanks to his status as a major action star at the time. He reportedly turned down the role because he wasn’t interested in playing the glamorous character.
