• Former 007 agent Pierce Brosnan has a favorite for the next “James Bond.”
• The internet debated whether the suggested candidate fits the role as some deem the individual “too beautiful.”
• A look at male actors once considered to take on the iconic 007 role.

As the curtain closed on Daniel Craig’s era as the legendary secret agent James Bond in 2019, the quest for his successor ignited speculation and anticipation.

Craig, reflecting on his final bow in “Spectre,” encapsulated the solitary, bittersweet moment of farewell, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise.

“I need to just be on my own, kind of experiencing it. The first few minutes are always unbearable: “Why am I standing like that? What am I doing?” he said in a 2019 interview after watching his final portrayal of James Bond.

Recently, Brosnan, a predecessor to Craig, having graced the screen as Bond in films like “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Die Another Day,” alongside Halle Berry, has voiced his preference for the next Bond.

Brosnan spoke about his preferred star for the franchise at the annual Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7, 2024, which recognizes talented Irish creatives in Los Angeles.

The veteran star’s preferred actor whom he wants to become the next 007 agent recently bagged an Oscar Award at the 96th Academy Awards.

Cillian Murphy is the actor Brosnan deemed a perfect fit for the role. “Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty’s Secret Service,” said Brosnan.

However, not everyone agrees. Some fans think Murphy is “too beautiful” to play Bond. They shared their thoughts on social media, with mixed reactions.

One online user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Allow me to expand on my comment. I am a Cillian Murphy fan since 28 Days later when zombies were chasing him. I even pronounce his name with a hard “C”. He’s beautiful, but he isn’t Bond.”

Another social media user remarked on the platform, “Cillian Murphy is too pretty to be James Bond.” “Like most on here, I think Bond villain when I see Cillian. He’s too beautiful to be Bond,” penned one online user. Someone else said, “No, no….NO! I like him and he’s a great actor, but he is not Bond by any stretch of the imagination.”

Meanwhile, some people believe Murphy is a good fit to play Bond. “I think he would be great as Bond, but I don’t want him to do it because he’ll be stuck as Bond for a decade. And I want to see him in different roles every movie he does,” said one person.

Another commented, “I think he’d be perfect. Bond is a cold, calculating spy, actually. If Cillian decided to take on the role, he would give an exceptional performance, as always.” One individual wrote, “I think he’s such a wonderful actor that he can nail any character. Certainly didn’t ‘look’ the part of Tommy Shelby, and he was absolutely brilliant.”

Yet, Murphy himself has expressed reservations, citing age concerns about taking on the iconic role. “I think I’m a bit old for that,” he said. Apart from Brosnan, Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead stated Murphy is a leading candidate suggested to continue the Bond legacy.

As speculation continues, several other actors have been rumored to step into Craig’s shoes, each bringing unique traits to the potential portrayal of James Bond.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is a popular choice among fans for the next Bond. Speculation surrounding the possibility of the actor and producer being hired as the first Black man for James Bond in part, stems from a 2018 survey in The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the findings, 63 percent of Americans voted for Elba to play the role. Despite widespread support and rumors, the British native has clarified that he has not been seriously considered for the part.

Elba confirmed in an interview, saying he would not partake in the film franchise, and admitted he does not like talking about this conversation. “Of course, if someone said to me ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, Yeah! That’s fascinating to me. But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, Yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond,” said Elba.

The movie star further explained he does not want to put himself in a position where the color of his skin would become a topic of discussion if his stint in the franchise succeeds or fails. Elba acknowledged the iconic status of Bond but prefers to focus on roles that allow more character creation.

Most importantly, he does not want the character to “define” moving forward. “Bond is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and for that reason, whoever ends up playing it, lives it. […] I’m creating characters now that can still live alongside Idris. Not ones that take over me and solely define me,” Elba expressed.

Tom Hardy

A blend of intrigue and reticence has marked Tom Hardy’s connection to the Bond role. Hardy, known for his transformative performances, avoids directly discussing the possibility of starring in the Bond films.

The Hollywood star hinted that speaking about the much-loved role could take him out of contention. “I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone,” Hardy said in an interview.

The actor and writer also expressed his admiration for the franchise and the idea of Christopher Nolan (who recently won an Academy Award for “Oppenheimer,”) directing a Bond movie.

He previously worked with Nolan in “Inception.” Hardy’s admiration for the franchise and its recent directors hints at the intriguing possibilities of his potential tenure as Bond.

Regé-Jean Page

Regé-Jean Page emerged as a contender in the Bond discourse following his breakout role in “Bridgerton,” capturing the imagination of fans and the media alike.

Addressing the speculation on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Page offered a measured response, appreciating the fan support while contextualizing the rumors within the broader tradition of British actors being linked to the role after achieving certain milestones in their careers.

After television host, Jimmy Fallon mentioned that the internet had made him the front-runner to become the next Bond. The actor and producer responded, “I think the internet thinks a lot of things, and that’s one of the more pleasant ones, so I can be pleased, as far as that goes. I think there might be an element of like a cultural translation to be done here.”

“Like, if you’re a Brit, and you do something, of any kind of renown, that people regard very well, then people start saying the B-word. You know, it’s like a merit badge. You get the B-word merit badge. But I don’t think it’s much more than that. I’m very, very glad to have the badge,” the movie star further lamented.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston, another British actor frequently associated with the role, has experienced his share of Bond-related speculation, particularly following his acclaimed performance in “The Night Manager.”

Despite the enthusiastic fan support, Hiddleston has consistently downplayed the rumors, emphasizing the speculative nature of such discussions and the reality of the role’s casting process.

In 2016, the actor and producer said he did not believe he would be considered for the Bond role. “I don’t think that announcement is coming,” Hiddleston stated at the Wizard World Comic Con in Philadelphia. “I am very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. Your guess is as good as mine, to be honest.”

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill, with his striking presence and proven action credentials, remains a strong contender for the role of James Bond. Cavill’s interest in the role is no secret, having previously auditioned for it before Craig’s tenure at age 22.

The actor and producer, best known for starring in “Superman,” was asked in a 2017 interview whether he would be keen to appear in the film franchise. Cavill said if the franchise’s producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson would consider him, then he would take up the opportunity.

Craig was set to step down as the 007 agent at the time. Cavill expressed, “At this stage, it’s all up in the air. We’ll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.”

The search for the next James Bond continues to captivate the public’s imagination, with each potential candidate bringing their own unique qualities and challenges to the role. While Brosnan has made his preference clear, the ultimate decision remains in the hands of the franchise’s custodians.