Since No Time to Die marked the last time Daniel Craig will play 007, James Bond is one of the most coveted roles in Hollywood right now. Whoever is cast as 007 for the upcoming Bond 26 will immediately be put in the spotlight. Usually, a relatively unknown actor is cast as James Bond, but that may no longer be the case now that Amazon has full creative control of the franchise.

In fact, according to a recent report, Amazon’s shortlist for the next James Bond includes Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson. While Dickinson isn’t known by all, Holland and Elordi are two of the most popular young actors in the world. Since they have emerged as top candidates, all three of these young actors will be included on this list.

However, fans have also named many other actors who they believe would be a perfect next James Bond. In the age of social media, James Bond fans have been more vocal than ever about who should lead the franchise in a brand-new era. Therefore, here are ten popular candidates for the next James Bond, ranked by how exciting it would be if they were cast as 007:

10

Idris Elba Would Play A Great Older James Bond

Known For The Suicide Squad & Luther

For years, Elba has been one of the most popular fan suggestions to play the next James Bond. Unfortunately, at 52 years old, he is by far the oldest actor on this list. The fact that fans still want him to be the next Bond proves how popular he is, but it can’t be denied that he is now too old.

At this point, Elba practically has no chance at being the next 007 since Amazon is reportedly looking for an actor in their late 20s or early 30s. If this was 10 years ago, perhaps Elba would have been a stronger candidate. After all, he has stolen the show in movies like The Dark Tower, The Suicide Squad, and the recently released Heads of State.

Additionally, Elba has a great resume on the small screen after starring in shows like The Wire and Luther. However, it’s hard to deny that Elba has aged out of the role, at least for the version of Bond that Amazon currently wants. Therefore, even though Elba is a great actor, now is not the time for him to play James Bond.

9

Tom Holland Is Already Too Well-Known As A Popular Superhero

Known For Spider-Man: No Way Home & Uncharted

Going from the oldest actor on this list to one of the youngest, Tom Holland is also a popular choice to play the next James Bond. Over the last several years, Holland has emerged as one of the most prominent young actors in Hollywood for playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Holland is not necessarily a bad actor, but too many people ᴀssociate him with Spider-Man, which would make watching him in Bond 26 very distracting.

Additionally, Holland has starred in films like Uncharted, Cherry, and The Devil All the Time. Interestingly, Tom Holland pitched a James Bond movie idea years ago, so playing 007 would be a dream come true for the actor. Since he is reportedly one of Amazon’s top choices, he needs to be included on this list.

However, myself and a large portion of the fanbase believe that Holland would be an awful pick for the next James Bond. Holland is not necessarily a bad actor, but too many people ᴀssociate him with Spider-Man, which would make watching him in Bond 26 very distracting. Therefore, he is not the right choice for the next Bond.

8

Jacob Elordi Is Very Popular With Younger Audiences

Known For Euphoria & Saltburn

Just like Holland, Jacob Elordi is one of the most popular young actors in Hollywood who is reportedly being considered to play the next James Bond. Unlike all the other actors on this list, Elordi is actually not from the United Kingdom. However, being from Australia actually isn’t a bad thing for Elordi, since George Lazenby, who replaced Sean Connery in the role, was also Australian.

Therefore, Elordi shouldn’t be brushed over simply because he’s from a different region of the world. However, he wouldn’t be the most exciting James Bond because, just like Holland, people would ᴀssociate him with his previous roles.

Elordi has become so popular in recent years because of his roles in the hit HBO series Euphoria and movies like Saltburn and Priscilla, in which he played Elvis Presley. Elordi would definitely be a trendy pick and would get younger audiences talking about Bond 26, but he is definitely not the best actor for the job.

7

Tom Hardy Would Likely Have A Unique Take On James Bond

Known For The Dark Knight Rises & Mad Max: Fury Road

Even though Tom Hardy has been a popular fan pick for the next James Bond for years, he probably doesn’t have a good chance at playing the next 007 since Amazon is looking for a younger actor. Therefore, he is in a similar situation as Elba. However, I think Hardy could play a very interesting version of Bond if he was cast in the role.

Throughout his career, Hardy has earned acclaim for his roles in movies like Bronson, Warrior, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Based on his previous performances, I’m confident Hardy could play an edgier, less put-together version of Bond who potentially has a chip on his shoulder.

Hardy is definitely one of the most exciting actors on this list, but he is not higher because he has most likely aged out of the role. Therefore, even though Hardy could play an unpredictable version of 007, the time has probably pᴀssed for him to play the iconic spy. Instead, perhaps Hardy could play a villain in Bond 26 or a future movie in the franchise.

6

Harris Dickinson Is An Up-And-Coming British Actor

Known For The Iron Claw & Babygirl

Out of the three actors who are reportedly at the top of Amazon’s shortlist for the next James Bond, Harris Dickinson is definitely the most exciting. Compared to Holland and Elordi, Dickinson could be an interesting James Bond since he is not typically ᴀssociated with any of his previous roles.

If Amazon wants to hire someone who looks like they are just starting out their career as a spy, Dickinson would be perfect casting.

This is not to say that Dickinson hasn’t starred in amazing movies. In fact, the opposite is true. In the last few years, Dickinson has earned acclaim for starring in movies like Triangle of Sadness, The Iron Claw, and Babygirl. All three of these films prove that Dickinson has what it takes to be the next James Bond.

If Amazon wants to hire someone who looks like they are just starting out their career as a spy, Dickinson would be perfect casting. Since he is just 29 years old, Dickinson could convincingly portray a young James Bond, and potentially even lead the franchise for the next decade-plus. Therefore, while he is still not at the top of the list, Dickinson could potentially make a great 007.

5

Henry Cavill Was Almost Cast As James Bond Many Years Ago

Known For Man Of Steel & The Witcher

Arguably, Henry Cavill is the most popular fan casting for the next James Bond. Interestingly, Cavill was actually the runner-up to play James Bond in Casino Royale, obviously getting beaten out by Craig. At the time, the producers decided they wanted someone slightly older to play 007.

Funny enough, the number one factor working against Cavill ahead of Bond 26 is that Amazon now wants someone quite young to play 007. Because of this, Cavill may never get the chance to portray the iconic British spy. However, since a final decision has not yet been made, there’s still a chance.

While Cavill is now 42 years old, he could easily play a version of Bond that is meant to be in his 30s. Therefore, Amazon may see all the fans demanding that the former Superman actor play James Bond and decide to cast him in the role. However, if this is not the case, Henry Cavill’s audition tape for Casino Royale might remain our best look at what his version of Bond would’ve been like.

4

Theo James Looks The Part Of James Bond

Known For Divergent & The White Lotus

While he is not on the same star level as Cavill or several other candidates on this list, Theo James has also been a popular choice to play the next James Bond for a number of years. After starring in the Divergent movies, James has led films like How It Ends and The Monkey, as well as series like The White Lotus and The Gentlemen, which shows how suave he could be as Bond.

Unfortunately, James is now 40 years old, which may make him too old to play Amazon’s desired version of Bond. However, just like Cavill, James could also easily play a version of Bond who is still in his 30s. Additionally, unlike Cavill, fans probably wouldn’t ᴀssociate James too closely with any of his previous roles.

Playing 007 could elevate James to become one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Based on his previous performances, he is definitely up for the task. Therefore, I would be thrilled if James was announced as the next Bond.

3

Dev Patel Has Proven That He Is An Incredible Action Star

Known For The Green Knight & Monkey Man

Up until last year, nobody would have thought about Dev Patel when considering potential action stars. However, with Monkey Man, the actor proved that he could be one of the best action stars in the world. Not only did Patel star in the 2024 action movie, but he also served as a writer, director, and producer on the project.

Monkey Man proves that Patel is undoubtedly in the prime of his career.

In addition to Monkey Man, Patel has also starred in films like The Green Knight, Lion, and Slumdog Millionaire. He actually earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his work in Lion. Therefore, all these movies prove that Patel could thrive in a role like James Bond, which requires a lot of stunt work, but also an in-depth understanding of the character.

Through all of his roles, Patel has proven that he is a skilled actor, and I believe he is just getting started. Monkey Man proves that Patel is undoubtedly in the prime of his career. Therefore, it would be great if Amazon hired him to play James Bond, a character he could potentially portray for the next decade.

2

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Has Been Rumored To Play James Bond For Years

Known For Bullet Train & 28 Years Later

Even before Amazon took over full creative control of the franchise, it was rumored that Aaron Taylor-Johnson was in talks to play the next James Bond. In fact, many fans have wanted Taylor-Johnson to play 007 ever since watching him in Bullet Train, in which he stole practically every scene he was in.

In addition to Bullet Train, Taylor-Johnson has also starred in movies like Kraven the Hunter, Nosferatu, and 28 Years Later. The 35-year-old actor has an undeniable screen presence, and definitely has the required charm and swagger to play James Bond.

Since many rumors have already suggested that he might play the next James Bond, not many people would be surprised if he was cast in the role. The fact that he is still being rumored for the role proves that a lot of people want him to play 007. Therefore, it would be very exciting if Amazon cast Taylor-Johnson as the next Bond, even if he is slightly older than what they are looking for.

1

Aaron Pierre Is An Intimidating Action Star

Known For Rebel Ridge & Mufasa: The Lion King

If Amazon is insistent on casting someone who’s slightly younger to play James Bond, then Aaron Pierre could be a perfect pick. At 31 years old, Pierre is only two or three years older than Holland, Elordi, and Dickinson, who are reportedly Amazon’s top picks. This is honestly shocking, since Pierre looks way older than any of them.

This could either work for or against him as Amazon continues looking for the next James Bond. On one hand, Pierre looking older could allow audiences to buy into the fact that James Bond is meant to be a decorated soldier before he becomes a spy. However, on the other hand, it’s possible that Amazon specifically wants a James Bond who looks young.

Aaron Pierre is definitely an actor to look out for in the coming years, whether he gets cast as Bond or not. His leading role in Rebel Ridge proves that he would be a great 007, and he will also have a prominent role in the DC Universe in the coming years. Therefore, Pierre is definitely going to be a major movie star, and I would love to see him play the next James Bond.