25 Actors Who Should Play James Bond

Posted by , Updated on January 5, 2024

With the recent James Bond movie delays casting a pall on the potential return of Daniel Craig as Bond, it only makes sense to look at the other actors who should play James Bond. There’s no denying it, the James Bond franchise is an iconic piece of cinema. It’s been around for a long time and doesn’t seem to have any plans to go away. With a tradition of passing the torch to a new, younger actor, we have to wonder who might be the next James Bond? Curious to see who might be a good fit for the role? Here are 25 Actors Who Should Play James Bond.

Video
play-rounded-fill

25

Jamie Dornan

dornanSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1946193/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Born in Belfast, Ireland, this actor recently hit the scene with the Fifty Shades of Grey movie series. Though, he was also in Anthropoid, which is a great little historical gem. He’s got the swagger and looks to easily pull off James Bond, but it’s difficult to say if he’d bring anything new to the character.

24

Luke Evans

luke evansSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1812656/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Growing up in Aberbargoed, South of Wales, this actor is classically trained, starring in London’s West End theater productions, and has the look of a playboy MI6 agent. You may remember him from The Hobbit, Fast and Furious 6, and Beauty and the Beast.

23

Aidan Turner

aidan turnerSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636108/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

This actor was born in Dublin, Ireland, and is also a classically trained actor, appearing in many stage productions. You probably recall him playing the dwarf Kili in The Hobbit trilogy.

22

Danny Dyer

danny dyerSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0245705/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

You probably haven’t heard of this British actor, and that’s kind of the point. With a name as big as James Bond, sometimes you need an unknown, yet capable, actor to hop in the seat to focus more on the character rather than the star power of the actor.

21

Clive Owen

Clive OwenSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654110/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

This actor, born in Warwickshire, England, has done tremendous work over the years, notably in Children of Men and Inside Man. It’s easy to see him giving us a great Bond.

20

Tom Hiddleston

hiddlestonSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1089991/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Born in Westminster, London, this actor likely needs no introduction, best known for his role as Loki in the Thor trilogy and the Avengers films. With his charm and talent for acting, he’s practically a shoe in for the role.

19

Dan Stevens

dan stevensSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1405398/?ref_=nv_sr_1

After Downton Abbey, this actor has gone on to put together a diverse body of work, showing his range. From the horror movie The Guest to his role as David Haller on Legion, there’s little doubt he could play Bond.

18

Richard Armitage

armitageSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0035514/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Born and raised in Leicester, England, this actor played Thorin in The Hobbit trilogy and was more recently in Ocean’s 8. He’s got the general look of Bond, but it’s hard to say if he could pull off the charm.

17

Richard Madden

Richard Madden holding a micSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0534635/?ref_=nv_sr_1

You’ll likely recognize this Scottish actor from the television show Game of Thrones. He played Robb Stark. While his film credentials are few, we’re thinking he’s got the skills to bring Bond to life on film.

16

Nicholas Hoult

hoult

It might feel like a stretch for this actor, whom you may know from Mad Max, to play Bond, but he brings both a classical acting education and an impressive body of work to the table and could likely transform himself to take on the role.

15

Rupert Friend

Rupert FriendSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1670029/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Known for his roles in Homeland, Hitman: Agent 47, or The Young Victoria, this actor from Oxfordshire, England, already got a few action roles under his belt, making his transition to the Bond franchise much easier.

14

Christian Bale

christian baleSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

We know he’s already played Batman, which is essentially Bond in a bat costume, but admit it, he’d still nail the role. He might even bring a whole different take on the character.

13

Benedict Cumberbatch

cumberbatchSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1212722/?ref_=nv_sr_1

From playing Sherlock to Doctor Strange, this actor has made quite an impression. There’s no doubt his acting talent and charm could make for an incredible Bond.

12

Kit Harington

haringtonSource: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3321300/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_7

Primarily known for his role as Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, this English actor has already played a lead role in a movie titled MI-5. Why not move him over to the MI6 division and call it good?

11

Charlie Cox

charlie coxSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1214435/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

While he’s done a number of roles in TV and TV movies, his role as Daredevil on Netflix is his most notable. It’s a tough call if he can embody the whole character of Bond, but he certainly can make a punch look realistic.

10

Hugh Dancy

hugh dancySource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199215/?ref_=nv_sr_1

A notable British working actor who lately has been doing several TV shows, including Hannibal, you might also recognize him from Black Hawk Down or King Arthur. He has considerable talent and could easily put on the suit and tie.

9

David Oyelowo

David OyelowoSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654648/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Born in Oxford , England, and graduating from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, this actor is most notable for his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie Selma. He hasn’t had a shot at a big action franchise yet, and we’re thinking it’s about time.

8

Jack Reynor

jack reynorSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2930503/?ref_=nv_sr_1

While born in Colorado, this actor moved with his Irish mother back to Ireland and was raised there since the age of two. You might recognize him from the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction.

7

Rebecca Ferguson

rebecca fergusonSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0272581/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Bear with us on this one. We know it’s a stretch, but maybe to shake things up, the James Bond franchise needs a woman to take on the role? This actor has especially proved herself capable in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Fallout. Why not let her try a hand at the Bond franchise?

6

Chiwetel Ejiofor

ejioforSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252230/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Being an actor since the early 90’s, his most notable role has been playing Solomon Northrup in 12 Years a Slave, though you might also recognize him as Mordo in the movie Doctor Strange. He’s got impressive range and could easily be seen outwitting his opponents.

5

Matt Smith

matt smithSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1741002/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Known mostly for his role as The Doctor in Doctor Who, this actor has made a sudden shift to film in recent years especially with the recent announcement of his unknown role in Star Wars: Episode IX.

4

Michael Fassbender

fassbenderSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055413/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

A man who needs little introduction, this actor has been in wide range of films, including X-Men: First Class and Alien: Covenant, providing many eclectic and powerful performances. It would be great to see what he could bring to the Bond character.

3

Henry Cavill

cavillSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0147147/?ref_=nv_sr_1

While he’s famous for his role as Superman in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League, this British actor already has two spy movies under his belt with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. While his acting is passable, he’d likely make a perfectly good Bond.

2

Idris Elba

idris elbaSource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252961/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Okay, this one is likely not going to happen. The actor has denied it on several occasions. But, one can at least dream.

1

Tom Hardy

tom hardySource: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362766/?ref_=nv_sr_1

At this point, what role can’t this actor do? He’s got the looks, the swagger, the charm, and the acting talent all in one and has pulled off every role he’s done in spades. We say put him and Christopher Nolan together on a Bond film, post haste!



Featured Image: Benedict_Cumberbatch_filming_Sherlock.jpg: Fat Les from London, UK derivative work: RanZag (talk), Benedict Cumberbatch filming Sherlock cropped, CC BY 2.0brava_67 James Bond CC by 2.0 – modified by combining images

Photo: 1. GabboT, Tom Hardy TIFF 2014, CC BY-SA 2.0 , 2. DFID - UK Department for International Development, Idris Elba 2014, CC BY 2.0 , 3. Eva Rinaldi creator QS:P195,Q37885816, Henry Cavill 3, 2013 (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0 , 4. Georges Biard, Michael Fassbender Cannes 2009, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 5. cliff, dr who on set of new film, CC BY-SA 2.0, 6. WikipediaCommons.com (Public Domain), 7. IMDB.com (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 8. Dublin International Film Festival, Jack Reynor DIFF 2016, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 9. Tyler Boye, David Oyelowo Golden Globes, CC BY-SA 4.0 , 10. Alotofmillion at English Wikipedia, Hughstagedoor, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 11. Gage Skidmore, Charlie Cox by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 12. Suzi Pratt, Kit Harington (March 2013), CC BY-SA 2.0 , 13. DalWang92, Benedict Cumberbatch - December 2013 (cropped), CC BY 2.0 , 14. Andrea Cangioli, Christian Bale Quel treno per Yuma Premiere Los Angeles 2007 1, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 15. Lady Dizzy, Rupert Friend BAFTA 2010, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 16. torbakhopper, nicholas hoult : santa barbara (2009), CC BY 2.0, 17. By <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/22007612@N05">Gage Skidmore</a> from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/48462874707/">Richard Madden</a>, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link, 18. Tony Haz Photography, ArmitageBAFTAs2010, CC BY-SA 1.0 , 19. https://www.flickr.com/photos/minglemediatv/, Dan Stevens at Premiere of Beauty and the Beast, CC BY-SA 4.0 , 20. Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, Kong- Skull Island Japan Premiere Red Carpet- Tom Hiddleston (37422728295), CC BY 2.0 , 21. Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería from Irun, Spain, CliveOwen 2006, CC BY-SA 2.0 , 22. Hilton1949 at English Wikipedia, Danny Dyer at Upton Park, 02 Oct 2010, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 23. Kenny Ho, Aidan Turner bearded, CC BY-SA 3.0 , 24. Gage Skidmore, Luke Evans 2014 Comic Con (cropped), CC BY 2.0 , 25. Sebaso, Jamie Dornan at Berlinale by sebaso, CC BY-SA 4.0