British Secret Service agent, James Bond, is one of the most popular fictional book/film characters of all-time. Since first being introduced in 1953, Bond has become a fixture in pop culture, and over the years there have been more than a dozen actors who have brought him to life on-screen. While each actor has definitely brought something unique to their portrayal of bond, his slick and tenacious tactics have been the same. While the lead role in any Hollywood film is always something that stars desire, the chance to portray him on-screen is definitely considered an honor. When any actor steps down from the role, the world always wonders which talented star will take his place. Here are 10 actors who could easily be he next James Bond.
David Beckham
Former professional soccer player, David Beckham, may not have any real acting experience, but there’s something about him that just screams James Bond. Beckham definitely has the natural swagger and charm to play the cool spy, and with the proper acting training he could definitely blow the role out of the water. Beckham has expressed in interest in taking up acting, so maybe one day he will get a real shot at the coveted role.
(Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Christian Bale
Christian Bale has been in the business since he was just a kid. Over the years, he’s proven that he has what it takes to land some pretty impressive roles. In recent years, many people have expressed an interest in seeing Bale in the role of Bond, there were even some rumors that he’d been offered the role before most recent Bond, Daniel Craig. However, Bale has since stated that those rumors were not true.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
James Purefoy
James Purefoy once had a legitimate chance at becoming James Bond. In 1995, he was screen tested for the role of Bond in the Goldeneye film, but eventually lost the role to Pierce Brosnan. Still, in the early 2000s, his name continued to float around as a potential candidate for Bond. However, Purefoy says that he may have shot himself in the foot during an interview. According to Purefoy, “They [filmmakers] asked what I thought should be changed [about James Bond], and I was eight minutes into my soliloquy when I noticed they were all staring at my legs…I realised there was no hope.” Purefoy added that while he would have loved the role, it may have thrust him too far in the spotlight to continue living his life the way he enjoys.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Dominic West
In the mid 2000s, many people were excited to hear that Dominic West was being considered for the role of Bond. According to some sources, West decided to take himself out of the running when he heard the role had gone to Pierce Brosnan, but lots of fans still wish to see West in the role. With his impressive resume, the 45-year-old England native definitely has the skills to take on the role, although he hasn’t shown any interest in doing so as of late.
(Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Andrew Lincoln
Over the last several years, Andrew Lincoln has become a familiar face to many things to his starring role on the successful AMC series, The Walking Dead. Although he’s been in the industry for more than two decades, he hasn’t had the opportunity to land many starring roles, and playing James Bond could definitely take his career to new heights. The only downside is that while he has been in films before, most fans these days are so used to seeing him on the small screen that they may not be able to adjust to him being a movie star.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Chiwetel Ejiofor
British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor is another person whose star is on the rise. Over the last few years, his name and face have definitely become more well-known among viewers, and he definitely has the swag and good looks to pull off the role as Bond. Unfortunately; however, Chiwetel may instead be playing the role of the villain in the next James Bond film.
(Getty Images)
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy is definitely a fan favorite these days, and fans would love to see him play James Bond. He already has experience acting in some pretty big action films, and he’s already stated that he would definitely consider the role of Bond if given the opportunity.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Jon Hamm
Former Mad Men star, Jon Hamm, has a very impressive resume that includes some pretty big hits. While fans aren’t really used to seeing him in action/crime related roles, he definitely seems like he has the skills to pull just about anything off. Over the last several years, Jon Hamm’s name has been brought up all over the Internet on lists of people who could potentially be the next Bond, and there are a lot of people who wish he would get the role.
(Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Idris Elba
Over the last couple of years, Idris Elba’s name has been brought up on many occasions as the next Bond. There were even several rumors floating around the Internet that he would definitely be the next person to land the role. However, the idea of Elba as Bond raised a lot of controversy over the fact that there has never been a black bond, and many believe that their never should be. Recently, Bond author, Anthony Horowitz, expressed that be felt Elba was ‘too street’ for the role of Bond, and many were outraged by his comments. While there are many people who don’t want to see him land the role, it seems like many fans are definitely rooting for him.
(Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Liam Neeson
There aren’t too many actors who can say they’ve turned down the role of James Bond, but Liam Neeson is one of them. According to sources, Neeson turned down the role because his late wife, Natasha Richardson said that she wouldn’t marry him if he did. As you know, he went on to find success in other action films including the Taken franchise. While at 63, he may be a little old to being a Bond career, it would definitely be great to see him get another chance.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Lead (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images for The Moet British Independent Film Awards)
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