This week, reports that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been selected to play the next James Bond circulated online. According to one British tabloid, the 33-year-old actor, who is no stranger to franchise blockbusters and IP action films, has the contract sitting on his desk waiting to be signed.
Although Taylor-Johson has since distanced himself from the rumors, we're convinced this is nearly a done deal — or that the casting has at least been discussed heavily, and they're just waiting for the right time to announce it to the world.
But if there is a last-second change of heart, we have some suggestions for who should fill the famous shoes and tuxedo of the best fictional British spy to ever grace a book, film or video game. 007 suggestions.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other nominees. Like, if you think Andrew Garfield should be Spider-Man AND Bond, or Henry Cavill should be Superman AND Bond, or Robert Pattinson should be Batman AND Bond, let us know why. That would be insane, but go ahead. Make the case.
7. Henry Golding
Just how much uproar would there be if they cast a Malaysian man to be James Bond? As an American writing this, I couldn't care less; Brits play American superheroes wonderfully all the time. But the UK could see a riot over this casting, even though Golding grew up in England and can do the accent, has got the look and is young and charming. It's sort of a perfect fit, but do the Bond producers want to deal with any headaches from butthurt, racist fans out there? They should, but this is Hollywood we're talking about: the most risk-averse industry imaginable.
6. Damson Idris
He's a rugby player turned actor, he's very young and he's relatively unknown; if you wanted to make a big splash and launch a bright career, you should go with at least somebody with the name Idris (see number one for the other Idris we went with). He's got a few awards on his mantle already, and he's the brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger. This is a hot-ticket guy on the way to superstardom.
5. Aaron Taylor-Johnson
This wouldn't be the worst pick imaginable! As much of a done deal as this already seems, he's really good in everything he's in. He's super athletic, attractive, been around the action movie block for years and, as someone who grew up as a child actor, I'm sure he can shrug off the notoriety that being James Bond comes with (something Daniel Craig clearly hated by the time he was done).
4. Regé-Jean Page
He already seems like James Bond right now, doesn't he? A mysterious, regal, tall man who is constantly dressed super well is, like, half the job done, and he has charisma to spare. Right after "Bridgerton" broke out, he immediately jumped on the chance to host "SNL," so we think he's ready to take on the next big challenge: being the face of a country on movie theater screens worldwide.
3. Dev Patel
Pound for pound, he's the best actor on this list. At 17, he starred in the Best Picture winner "Slumdog Millionaire," and has vowed to never do superhero fare in his career. But could he be convinced to take on James Bond? He would probably say no if asked, but man, oh man would he be absolutely perfect for the role. Super hot, super talented and he just directed an action movie where he kicks a bunch of ass! Perfection.
2. Richard Madden
Richard Madden has, for his entire career, approached the glass ceiling on fame — but just hasn't punched through it yet. He's not a household name, but is constantly flirting with a breakout project he just can't quite land. As someone who could have been the star of both "Game of Thrones" and Marvel's "Eternals," it was unfortunate that he had to exit those roles because of his characters dying. If the next guy on our list wasn't too old, we think he would be the no-brainer pick — and would say yes.
1. Idris Elba
Has there ever been a human being more perfectly built to be a British superspy than Idris Elba? No. He was the Sexiest Man of the Year, he's an acclaimed and very talented actor, he's funny, he's cultured, he can do anything he wants and the only reason everyone on the internet no longer thinks he's got a chance is because of his age. He's 51, and that's not quite what you're looking for when casting a new Bond to take over a franchise for 10-plus years. But he is the collective choice of everyone online; ask anyone and his name WILL come up as a Bond candidate. If only Hollywood had the foresight to cast him years ago, when Craig wavered on coming back.
[Image: YouTube]
