We’re one step closer to the announcement that will hopefully leave the 007 franchise shaken and fans stirred, as the casting process for the next James Bond actor reaches its conclusion. It’s been five years since No Time To Die‘s ending killed off Daniel Craig’s iteration of the character, and longer still since he confirmed he was definitely on his way out of the tuxedo. By the time Bond 26 releases, it’s going to have the longest gap between movies in the franchise’s history.
There are a few reasons for that, including major BTS changes with Amazon MGM first buying the rights to the franchise, and then creative control from the Broccoli family. But another is the search for the next 007. Craig portrayed the character for 15 years, and brought him kicking and screaming into the 21st Century with a much-needed reinvention that allowed Bond to keep pace with action franchise rivals.
Based on what we know about the next James Bond movie, which isn’t much, there’s at least cause to be excited: it’s being directed by Denis Villeneuve (the Dune movies) and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). That’s a great team, but it also needs a great Bond.
Per the latest reports, the final candidates for the new 007 are preparing to screen test for the role, and the names in the frame supposedly include Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor, along with a mystery fourth actor. Other contenders, like Jack O’Connell and Jacob Elordi, have seemingly been ruled out, though that’s yet to be confirmed. What’s interesting, though, is that the three names who appear to firmly be in contention all share one thing in common.
How Old The Final New James Bond Actor Candidates Are
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Images via Apple/Universal</figure>
One of the biggest talking points about any new Bond actor is their age, and especially with regards to this Bond actor casting. Much has been made of the idea that Amazon would be looking at someone significantly younger, ruling out actors in their 40s and 50s who have long been linked to the role, such as Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba.
However, based on the latest Bond shortlist, they’re not going drastically younger. Indeed, Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor are all 36 years old at the time of writing (and if anyone from Amazon is reading this and wants to take a punt on an unknown actor, I am also 36, and available for audition). Jack O’Connell, though ostensibly ruled out, is also 36, so it’s apparently a good age to be talked about as the next Bond.
But, aside from making me feel like I’ve not achieved enough at the same age, it is interesting that seemingly every actor in contention is in their mid-30s. That’s a good few years older than Jacob Elordi, who is 29, along with a couple of other previously rumored contenders such as Harris Dickinson and Tom Holland (both 30), and might well mean they’re ruled out of the running too if Amazon is skewing slightly older than that with its take.
How The Next Bond Actor Ages Compare To Every Other 007 Star
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Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM</figure>
While much has been said about the next James Bond’s potential youthfulness, the ages of previous 007 actors have ranged quite a bit. The youngest was George Lazenby, who was 29 when he appeared for his one outing in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which might at least give Elordi, another 29-year-old Aussie, some remaining hope. The oldest, meanwhile, was Roger Moore, who was 45 when Live and Let Die released.
The median age of an actor when their first Bond movie releases is 39-40 (technically, thirty-nine and a half), and the average is 38 (or 37.8, if you want to be exact). 38 is how old Daniel Craig was when he first played Bond and, given the likely production timeline of Bond 26, there’s actually a good chance that’s how old the next Bond actor will be as well by the time the movie is released, with it expected to arrive in 2028 or 2029.
Amazon MGM Not Casting A Much Younger Bond Isn’t A Problem
The theory behind the need for a substantially younger James Bond – someone in their late 20s or early 30s – is that it’d be easier for them to have longevity. After all, whoever takes this role on could end up doing it for 10-15 years if they’re anything like Craig, and it’s presumably easier to do the required stunt work when you’re not in your 50s. It’d allow someone who could really grow with the franchise, too, making Bond their own.
There is certainly some logic to that, and it could still come to pass, but ultimately what matters most is getting the right person for the role. And if Amazon – and more importantly, Villeneuve – are confident in that, then there’s reason to be optimistic. Craig was still great in his early 50s, and we’ve seen plenty of action stars kicking ass in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s, from Tom Cruise to Keanu Reeves to Liam Neeson and more.
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It’s also sensible to be casting for James Bond 26, not for James Bond 31. Sure, there will absolutely be some glances to the future, and the hope will presumably be that the next actor is one who lasts for 3-5 movies, if not even more. But Amazon MGM has spent a lot of money on Bond, and it can’t afford to get the first outing wrong. It needs the best person for now, and all the actors in contention are definitely still young enough to play 007 for years to come anyway.
It will be interesting to see what direction they go in. While the actors have their age in common, they don’t offer a clear consensus on what type of 007 the new Bond will be: depending on who is cast, it could be a rough-around-the-edges, grittier take, or a return to the more suave poshness of eras gone before, or something in between.
That’s perhaps the real challenge for the next James Bond and whoever plays him: reinventing things enough, without feeling like you’re totally breaking it. It’s something Craig nailed, and it’s what the newcomer, whether that’s Lowden, Turner, O’Connor, or someone else, and regardless of age, needs to nail as well.
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
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