Who will be the next James Bond? Here are our predictions:

Whether it be the fantastic Goldfinger or the snowy heights of Switzerland in On Her Majesty’s Service, there are so many classic Bond moments to pick out, and each Bond has stamped their own mark on the role.

With Daniel Craig hanging up the 00 Licence for good, the attention now turns to who will fill his boots to become the next Bond. Producer Barbara Broccoli has confirmed a ‘reinvention’ is underway for the character, going on to mention how they’re intent on continuing to “crack Bond open emotionally” for the next set of movies.

“It’s an evolution.” She continues, “Bond is evolving just as men are evolving. I don’t know who’s evolving at a faster pace. “We’re working out where to go with him, we’re talking that through. There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond.”

It would seem that big changes are afoot, but based on the numerous interviews and tidbits of information to go on, we’ve scoured through the list of potential Bonds and their likelihood to become the new 007.

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Idris Elba

Idris Elba has been in contention for the Bond role for well over 10 years now. While Craig was filming Casino Royale, there were rumblings about him becoming the new 007 . If you’ve seen Elba in shows like Luther then you know he can put out a competent multi-faceted performance.

However, in a recent interview with GQ Magazine , Elba came out and said he wasn’t too keen on playing the role. It would seem that this ship has sailed now unfortunately.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 3/10

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Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is the quintessential action hero. He’s good looking, has the charisma and has the talent to turn a franchise into gold. After all, he’s propelled both the Mission Impossible and Top Gun franchises. If anyone could pull off the role of Bond, it’s him.

However, being one of the most iconic actors of the 80’s and 90’s, pretty much over-qualifies him for the role. Again, the 10-15 year commitment would also be a big sticking point here too.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 1.5/10

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Hyun-Bin

Speaking of absolute juggernauts in the world of entertainment, Hyun-Bin is a household name in Korea and he absolutely lit the screen up with his performance in Crash Landing on You, which was an international success. He’s had an illustrious history and as we know from previous performances, he’s very versatile and can be both badass and sensitive too, which matches what Broccoli has been asking for in terms of versatility.

Will it actually happen though? Shaking up the role and adding a Korean in what has predominantly been a role reserved for British actors would be an interesting gamble but we doubt the fanbase would react too positively to it. This one seems highly unlikely to happen, unfortunately.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 1/10

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Robert Pattinson

Since the Twilight movies, Robert Pattinson has absolutely reinvented himself as an actor. His performance in The Lighthouse alongside Willem Dafoe was nothing short of extraordinary, while his suave portrayal in Nolan’s Tenet showed that he can pull off the cool and hip  needed for Bond.

Danny Boyle has recently backed Pattinson for the role too, while Pattinson himself has shared that he’d be interested in playing the coveted 007 role. This one definitely seems like a viable option.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 7/10

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Henry Cavill

At the time of writing, Henry Cavill is the bookie’s favourite to take over in the Bond franchise. He’s an incredibly likable guy, the only person who can make fixing a computer look super hot, and he’s easily one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. He’s also passionate about the source material for his roles, which is very rare nowadays, and he looks the part too.

With the DCEU looking like it’s about to sputter back to life and a fair few projects on the horizon for him too, including videogame voice acting and a rumoured part in Highlander, the 10-15 year commitment could be a stumbling block.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 8.5/10

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Matt Smith

Matt Smith had the unenviable task of taking over from David Tennant as the Doctor in Doctor Who. Much Like Peter Davidson way back in Classic Who, Smith managed to do the impossible, and win over fans with his own spin on the quirky Time Lord.

Since parting ways with the role, Smith has absolutely owned everything he’s been part of. He’s the undeniable highlight of Morbius, deliciously sinister in Last Night in Soho, and of course he’s a complete badass in House of the Dragon.

Smith’s acting cannot be denied and interestingly, he doesn’t have too much on the horizon right now outside HOTD (according to IMDB anyway!)

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 7.5/10

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Richard Madden

Richard Madden is a name that’s been floated around with James Bond for a while but the hype seems to have died down a little now. His performance as David in The Bodyguard certainly got people’s attention and he looks the part too. Time is on his side as well and given the producers have clearly stated they want someone in their 30’s to play Bond, Madden ticks all the boxes.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 8.5/10

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Regé-Jean Page

This is our bet. We’re calling it here! Regé-Jean Page checks every single box for what you’d want from James Bond. He’s self-assured, confident and charismatic – plus he has the looks too. The idea of making Bond more emotional could work with Page, especially if his performance in Bridgerton is anything to go by.

He’s had a pretty steady filmography over the years and he could easily do his own stunts and action too if required.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 9.5/10

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Tom Hardy

Speaking of names that have been in the hat to play Bond for a while, Tom Hardy’s name has almost been synonymous with James Bond for a good part of a decade or more, much like Idris Elba.

Hardy is an incredibly versatile actor and has played a number of different roles, including Eddie Brock in Venom and Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders.

In fact, Hardy has been in the pipeline for such a long time that when fake news surfaced earlier this year that Hardy had been cast as Bond, this writer actually thought it was real for a while! Alas, it hasn’t been confirmed but it’s definitely a viable option.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 9/10

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Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell is another underrated actor that has had some really solid roles over the years. This year alone he has starred as the ice-cold killer in Shining Girls, while his baby-faced performance in World War I horror Deathwatch showed that he can easily switch and show a vulnerable side. He also more than holds his own with Andy Serkis in that film too!

However, with rumours rumbling (at the time of writing) that Bell will be embarking on a new venture with TinTin in the future, as well as a possible second season for Shining Girls (because, y’know, AppleTV just renew everything) then Bond seems like a long shot.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 5/10

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Lashana Lynch

Broccoli has said she wants to shake up the role and although she’s used language to indicate the role will be given to a male, it could well be that they instead turn back to Lashana Lynch, the lady who was actually 007 in Craig’s final movie, No Time To Die.

Nomi’s time could be numbered though, given the desire to shake up the character and completely change what has come before. Broccoli’s language seemingly hints at Bond’s portrayal being reserved for a male but never say never!

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 3/10

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Pierce Brosnan

In an era of remakes, sequels, prequels and nostalgia baiting, would it really be that surprising to find Pierce Brosnan back in the role of Bond? Of course it’s a massive long shot and very unlikely, especially if Broccoli and the other producers are looking to shake up the Bond character.

Stranger things have happened in this business and while it does seem highly doubtful, it’s not outside the realm of possibility!

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 3/10

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Song Joong-ki

Who? That’s probably the first word you’re thinking reading this, unless you’re completely clued up with Korean dramas. However, Song Joong-Ki would make the perfect Bond. His performance in Vincenzo last year was both compelling and absolutely badass, and he was easily the best part of the whole show.

Not only does he have a wealth of charisma, he’s also very versatile and can show a sensitive side whilst not losing an ounce of masculinity.

Of course this is more a pipedream than anything else, especially as Bond’s requirements would denote the character be British but even so, the man would make an amazing Bond!

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 1/10

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Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed is another who could really make the role of James Bond his own. However, some could argue that he may be better suited as a Bond villain in the same vein as Rami Malek (who’s also a damn good actor we may add!)

Riz certainly has the intensity and the sensitivity angles down but it remains to be seen if he ahs the swagger needed to really exude the Bond persona. It would definitely be a gamble but the man can certainly act, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 6/10

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Paapa Essiedu

Speaking of charisma, Paapa Essiedu is a name that should be in the spotlight and especially in the running for the next Bond. He was fantastic in I May Destroy You and more recently in The Lazarus Project and Gangs of London. Whether he could step up into the role though remains to be seen.

Paapa is an absolute workhorse too if his filmography is anything to go by, and he’s played a variety of different roles over the years. If we’re going for bold and different, this is definitely a name to keep an eye on!

Likelihood of becoming Bond: 7/10

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So there we have it! Our picks for names in the hat to become the next Bond. Of course, there are others that have floated around, and we could be thrown a complete curveball and end up with a name not even on this list! For now though, we’ll have to wait and see what’s in store for us.

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But those are just our thoughts, what about you guys? Who do you think will be the next Bond? Who di you think should pick up the 007 role? Let us know in the comments!