By Jessica Wedemeyer
6:13pm PST, Feb 26, 2023
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It's the question on millions of minds: Who will be the next James Bond? Now that Daniel Craig has officially put his 007 days behind him, we've rounded up all the actors who are or were rumored to be in the running…
In a February 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Liam Neeson revealed that he was up for the part of James Bond in the '90s before the role went to another Irish actor: Pierce Brosnan. He said no, he explained, because his late wife Natasha Richardson — whom he hadn't yet married at the time — didn't want him to do it. According to Liam (seen here in the mid-'90s), after he delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in "Schindler's List," Bond producers Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, daughter Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson contacted him.
"I know the Broccolis. They looked at a bunch of actors. 'Schindler's List' had come out and Barbara had called me a couple of times to ask if I was interested, and I said, 'Yes, I would be interested.' And then my lovely wife — God rest her soul — said to me while we were shooting 'Nell' down in the Carolinas, 'Liam, I want to tell you something: If you play James Bond, we're not getting married,"' he recalled. "She gave me a James Bond ultimatum. And she meant it!" As for why Natasha didn't want him playing 007? "Come on, there's all those gorgeous girls in various countries getting into bed and getting out of bed. I'm sure a lot of her decision-making was based on that!" he said.
Now keep reading for more actors who've been in the running to play James Bond…
MORE: Bond girls: Where are they now?
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In January 2023, reports ramped up claiming Aaron Taylor-Johnson — the British actor who's starred in everything from "Kick-A**," "Nocturnal Animals" and "Godzilla" to "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Tenet" and "Bullet Train" — was a frontrunner to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. An insider claimed in a November 2022 report in the U.K. tabloid The Sun, "Aaron went for a screen test to be the next Bond in September and producers [including top boss] Barbara [Broccoli] loved him. He is now one of the front-runners." In its first newsletter of 2023, Puck journalist Matthew Belloni confirmed that Aaron was a favorite to play 007 but pointed out a possible roadblock. "While Taylor-Johnson fits the bill — great actor, British, fits the younger direction the Broccolis want to go, accomplished but not particularly famous — he's about to be a much bigger star," reads the newsletter. "If Sony's 'Spider-Man' spin-off 'Kraven the Hunter' or Universal's Ryan Gosling two-hander 'The Fall Guy' works, Taylor-Johnson might end up, ironically, too famous to take on Bond."
MORE: Photos: A-list stars and members of the U.K.'s royal family bring the glamor to the London premiere of "No Time to Die"
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Australian actor George Lazenby — who played James Bond after Sean Connery — told TMZ in January 2023 that he thinks fellow Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth should be the next 007. According to George, Liam is wholly qualified — he has the acting resume, the experience to deal with the media attention and scrutiny and the right nationality, as every Bond actor cast so far has lived in a country ruled by the British crown. Plus, George added, a "good-looking Aussie dude" like Liam simply fits the bill and is "crazy enough, arrogant enough, confident enough, ambitious enough to take on the role" after a Bond as beloved as Daniel Craig.
MORE: Actors who rebranded as action stars
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Fans of the hit Netflix show "Emily in Paris" know Lucien Laviscount as Alfie, the titular character's handsome and charming on-off British banker boyfriend. But according to a late December 2022 report from DailyMail.com, the English actor has caught the eye of another woman — producer Barbara Broccoli, the head of the James Bond film empire — and could soon replace Daniel Craig as 007. "Lucien ticks all of the boxes. He is a super-talented actor, is extremely handsome and in the past 18 months has won lots of new fans since he joined 'Emily In Paris.' Bond bosses are already saying how you can see him in the 007 tuxedo, how dapper and fitting to the role he will look," a source told DailyMail.com. "But there is a sticking point, and that is '[Celebrity] Big Brother.' Lucien appeared on the show [in 2011] at a time when his acting career was not as high-profile as it is now, but he was very popular then and has a fan base now which stretches generations. That is a dream for Barbara who is very taken with him."
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After Ryan Gosling starred as CIA agent Six in the 2022 action flick "The Gray Man" — which briefly references 007 — the comely Canadian's name started coming up in conversations about the next James Bond. The two-time Oscar nominee addressed the hubbub during a July 2022 interview with Sky News: "I'm not sure that they want a Canadian in that role. I'm not sure anyone's, you know, asking for that, I don't even think Canadians are asking for that, I don't think anyone wants that," he demurred. Well, we can certainly think of a few people who wouldn't mind: us!
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For nearly a decade now, fans have clamored for Idris Elba to take over the iconic role of James Bond. In early 2022, Barbara Broccoli — who's worked as a producer on the last 11 Bond films — admitted that Idris has been "part of the conversation" when it comes to replacing Daniel Craig. But Idris, it seems, is ready to put the conversation behind him. The handsome Brit told Jemele Hill on her "Unbothered" podcast that he's done discussing the matter: "I just tell people, 'Aw, don't ask me that,'" he said. But not everyone thinks he's perfect for the part: Back in 2015, writer Anthony Horowitz — who was tapped by Ian Fleming's estate to pen three new Bond novels — made headlines when he told DailyMail.com that Idris is "a terrific actor" but "a bit too rough to play the part." The comment sparked a global debate over whether or not a Black actor should play Bond. (Why not?!) "I can think of other Black actors who would do it better. … It's not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah," said the novelist, who later apologized for his poor choice of words.
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In the September 2022 issue of Men's Health, John Boyega made a playful quip about playing James Bond while admiring an Aston Martin with the license plate JB 007 at Motorcar Classics on Long Island, which he was visiting with the reporter to test drive a 1965 Corvette he purchased. "If they give me that call, I'll be there," the "Star Wars" franchise actor said of playing the famed British spy. Weeks later, the Brit shared his deeper thoughts on being a part of the Bond casting rumor mill. "When you're Black, I don't know how that goes. You as a white man grew up in a society as a white man and that's normal. That's normal to you. Even the mention of a Black Bond is like 'Oh, OK,'" he said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, as reported by People magazine. John said he doesn't think producers will ultimately hire a Black actor for the iconic role. "I don't necessarily believe that," he explained, "but if that's what they're doing then that is very surprising to me."
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In April 2022, Variety reported that the former Man of Steel, Henry Cavill, has been "whispered about in relation to the coveted role" of James Bond. The English actor — who actually auditioned for 2006's "Casino Royale" but ultimately lost the part to Daniel Craig — told GQ in 2020 that he "would absolutely jump at the opportunity" to play 007. "I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting," he said.
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Not long after Regé-Jean Page scored his big breakthrough with "Bridgerton," his name started popping up in conversations about the next James Bond. "If you're a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown that people regard well, then people start saying the 'B' word. It's like a merit badge — you get the 'B' word merit badge," he said during an early 2021 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," adding that he's "very, very glad to have the badge" and "to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge." He clarified, however, that it's still just a badge and nothing more.
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During a 2019 interview with Hits Radio, Harry Styles briefly addressed rumors he's in the running to play James Bond: "I grew up watching those [movies]. You know, I loved him when I was a kid. So I think it's kind of everyone's dream a little bit, right?" he said. The following year, The Sun reported that, according to a source, the singer was "deadly serious" about winning the part. "He has had a series of high-level meetings about becoming 007. Harry believes he is the final two," the source said. But Harry's rep soon told DailyMail.com that the rumors "aren't even remotely true."
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During an interview with Esquire that debuted online in May 2022, filmmaker Danny Boyle — who was once tapped to direct the 25th James Bond movie, which eventually became 2021's "No Time to Die" — shared his favorite to become the next 007: "[Robert] Pattinson would be a great Bond," he said. A decade earlier, the "Twilight" actor told The Sun he'd "definitely like to go for Bond." We also would definitely like him to go for Bond!
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Henry Golding just made his feature film debut in 2018's "Crazy Rich Asians," and the Malaysian-British actor is already in the running for the coveted role of James Bond. "It does seem to be a question that always comes," he said during an interview for the October 2020 issue of Attitude magazine. "It's an honor to even be in the conversation. It's one of the greatest film roles ever. You'd be stupid to be like, 'I don't want to do that s***.' F*** no, it would be the wildest ride," he continued after acknowledging that "everybody's fighting for a diverse Bond."
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In April 2022, Variety reported that "Venom" star Tom Hardy has been "whispered about in relation to the coveted role" of James Bond. When asked to comment on the rumor in the summer of 2021, the English actor played coy, telling "Entertainment Tonight" simply, "I don't know about that."
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If Bond producers decide to go with a much younger actor, Tom Holland would be more than happy to take on the part: "Ultimately, as a young British lad who loves cinema, I'd love to be James Bond. So, you know, I'm just putting that out there. I look pretty good in a suit," the star of the "Spider-Man" franchise told Variety in early 2021.
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For years now, Tom Hiddleston's name has come up in conversations about the next James Bond. He sidestepped the matter during an early 2021 interview with Empire magazine: "What can I say that you don't already know? It's interesting in itself that I've suddenly become very aware of what I'm saying, is it not? Because there's something about what I'm saying that becomes the story. Not for you, but for the world outside. Whatever I say, I've found, generated more questions," said the "Loki" star.
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Jamie Dornan's name has also come up in conversations about taking over the iconic role of James Bond: "It's fun and it's a cool thing to be in the mix for that sort of thing," the "Fifty Shades of Grey" actor told Esquire in early 2022. He added of the ever-expanding list of actors who are reportedly in the running, "I do think it's very transparent in terms of if you look at that list, there's not one person on that list who doesn't have some content at the moment that's doing well."
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All the way back in 2011 — during a press conference for "X-Men: First Class" — Michael Fassbender addressed rumors he was in the running to take over the role of James Bond: "We'll see what happens. I'm very flattered that people are sort of making that link, but I don't know. We'll see," said the Irish-German two-time Oscar nominee. Five years later, he told British GQ, "I just love Bond. Doesn't everyone? I grew up with him. It's always a fun conversation to have. But Bond should be someone in their early 20s. … You would have thought I was out of the bookies by now. … Look at me! I look about 50! No, I think the franchise needs something new." He added at the time that Daniel Craig had done "such a cracking job in this age group."
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At a press conference for "Rocketman" during the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, "Game of Thrones" and "Bodyguard" star Richard Madden said of odds he'll become the next James Bond, "It's very flattering to be involved in that conversation at all, but it's all just talk, and I'm sure next week it'll be someone different."
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Back in 2019, Ian Fleming's great-niece made headlines when she told Hello! magazine she thought Cillian Murphy would "make an awesome" James Bond. He's been a fan favorite for the part ever since. In late 2019, however, the Irish "Peaky Blinders" actor told GQ of the casting rumors, "It seems to be a way of generating business for bookies. So someone who happens to be in a TV show and wears a tux occasionally in a TV show [becomes part of the conversation]. But having said all of that, it's incredibly flattering to be in that conversation." He then added that he thinks the next Bond "should be a woman." But that's another conversation entirely…
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During an interview with The Digital Fix that hit the Internet in March 2022, "Outlander" star Sam Heughan said of persistent rumors he's in the running to play James Bond, "I'm not sure who started that rumor, but it's a nice one! I think all British actors, or any actor really, would love to play that part. It's no secret that I've talked about it, and that I auditioned for it years ago. But who knows, I have no idea. There's no truth to it at the moment." Bummer!
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During an April 2021 interview with the Mirror, Luke Evans said he'd happily replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, though he acknowledged it wouldn't be an easy task: "It's a phenomenal job, a phenomenal franchise, an incredible role. I have to say though, it's a daunting task for any actor to play the role after Daniel Craig. No one knows what's happening. It's a very secretive process and it's a wonderful role. I would jump at the chance, as would many actors in my position, so we shall see. It will be an exciting casting moment for the Bond production and I wish whoever gets it the best of luck," said the Welsh "Beauty and the Beast" and "Fast & Furious 6" star.
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In June 2022 — around the time Miles Teller started winning raves for his performance in "Top Gun: Maverick" — the former star of the "Divergent" franchise made headlines when his grandmother tweeted, "They're looking for an actor to replace Daniel Craig for future 007 movies. I think my grandson, Miles Teller, has proven that he has everything they're looking for — talent, looks, strength, worldwide appeal and oh, so cool. He can be that guy!! Wouldn't he be great?" A few weeks later, Miles told "Entertainment Tonight" of potentially playing James Bond, "Yeah. I mean, yeah perfect. I think we're actors, you know, so maybe you can mix it up a little bit."
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In April 2022, Variety reported that "Euphoria" star Jacob Elordi has been "whispered about in relation to the coveted role" of James Bond. The Australian actor has yet to address the rumors.
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During a June 2022 appearance on "Good Morning Britain," "Spectre" and "No Times to Die" actress Naomie Harris said that Chiwetel Ejiofor's "name is on the list of people to be the next Bond." The English actor certainly has the acting chops for the gig: He scored an Oscar nomination in 2014 for his performance in "12 Years a Slave."
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If Bond producers are considering Damian Lewis, they're wasting their time. During an April 2020 interview with GQ, the English Emmy winner said of rumors he's in the running for the role, "I don't want to play James Bond anymore. If someone had asked me 10 years ago, that might have been a different matter. But I don't have that sort of ambition now. I don't want to go traveling off around the world for eight months of the year and play one character for the next 10 years. And I think I'd be the oldest new James Bond cast, maybe after Roger Moore. Or maybe even older than Roger Moore. So, you know, I don't think it's a problem. I don't think it's something I have to think about. … I think [the prospect] was quite exciting five years ago, maybe, when there was a bit of press and suddenly I was — along with, I think, one other actor — the 'favorite' to be James Bond. But that's not going to happen. That's gone. That's gone, without regret."
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During an interview for the May 2022 issue of Vogue, "Dunkirk" actor Jack Lowden demurred when asked about rumors he's in the running to become the next James Bond: "It's going to take a long time to get [Daniel Craig] out of my head. Or anybody else's," said the Scottish "Slow Horses" star.
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During a July 2021 interview with Yahoo! Movies, James Norton called having his name in the mix "a little bit bemusing." Said the "Little Women" and "The Nevers" actor of rumors he could play James Bond, "[They have] been going on for quite a long time now, so the novelty has worn off a bit. In the beginning, it was definitely quite bizarre and flattering. It's never going to be not flattering to have your name included in the same sentence as James Bond. If even one person can consider that as a possibility, then it's quite cool. But it's been a few years now, that speculation, and it continues and remains pure speculation. It is just clickbait, I promise you that. It's nothing. There's no truth to it."
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During an early 2019 interview with The Times, David Oyelowo opened up about the prospect of playing James Bond: "The significance of someone like me playing a role like James Bond is not lost on me. It is going to be something that will expand horizons," said the Emmy-nominated English actor, adding that when he attended drama school in London, "the idea of a Black James Bond was so far removed from everyone's thinking." Said the "Selma" star, "We are talking about real progress. Society is beginning to tell the industries what they want to see." He also noted that he planned to discuss the possibility with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
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During an early 2022 interview with Metro, "1917" star George MacKay said of rumors he's in the running to play James Bond, "It's an amazing thing, but it would also be a massive thing. I don't know if that's a reality, but if it ever became one, of course, it would be a consideration. But be a careful one. I played Daniel Craig's baby brother [in the 2008 film 'Defiance']. So maybe I could step into his shoes."
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During a May 2018 interview with DailyMail.com, Aidan Turner teased of potentially becoming the next James Bond, "There's someone else playing the role at the moment but when it's free I'll have a look at it." We wonder how the Irish "Poldark" alum feels now that Daniel Craig has officially retired from the part…
