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James Bond

James Bond Producer Rules Out Several Stars in 007 Race


Who is the next actor to play James Bond? Speculation over this question has been rampant ever since Daniel Craig vacated the role following last year’s No Time to Die film. While the answer may still be “at least two years away”, we now have a clearer idea of what the 007 franchise is looking for.

Michael G. Wilson British Film Institute
Michael G. Wilson speaking at the British Film Institute | Image: Millie Turner/BFI

Veteran producer Michael G. Wilson has eliminated various stars from the Bond race, revealing specific age criteria for the role. Bound to leave some fans disappointed, Wilson effectively ruled out multiple big names on either end of the spectrum.

“We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualise it doesn’t work,” explained Michael G. Wilson (via Deadline)

“Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak.”

“He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a 30-something.”

Tom Holland
Image: Getty Images

That means Tom Holland, who’s previously been very open about his James Bond ambitions, is unlikely to land the gig as he’s too young at the age of 26. On the other end, 50-year-old Idris Elba would not meet the ’30-something’ criteria, despite being rumoured as the next 007 for years. Other candidates eliminated include Tom Hardy, 45, Cillian Murphy, 46, Michael Fassbender, 45, Harris Dickinson, 26, and Tom Hiddleston, 41.

So who’s left on the ‘possible and probable’ list? Well, Bridgeton’s Regé-Jean Page, who’s been the punter’s favourite, remains eligible at 34 years old. Man of Steel’s henry Cavill, 39, and Eternal’s Richard Madden, 36, also qualify. Cavill previously told GQ he would ‘absolutely jump at the opportunity of playing Bond’. Page, meanwhile, was a little more reserved, saying he was ‘flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed’.

Henry Cavill
Image: Getty Images

For those wondering, Daniel Craig was 38 when he was cast as the world’s most famous spy in 2006’s Casino Royale, which was younger than Pierce Brosnan’s and Timothy Dalton’s respective first outings as Bond.

We’ll have to be patient before we see Bond whipping around in an Aston Martin once again, as the next 007 film is far off on the horizon. Barbara Broccoli, co-director behind Eon Productions, says Bond 26 is still a ‘couple’ of years away at the minimum.