Summary
Since Daniel Craig confirmed his departure from theJames Bondfranchise, many have been looking forward to learning who would take the mantle next. Several names have resurfaced, but one actor is making waves in the betting world.
Craig brought to light a new persona of the famous fictional character M16 agentJames Bond, aka agent “007” because his films were emotionally complex. He starred in five movies, making his debut inCasino Royale(2006) and concluding his story arc inNo Time to Die(2021). Craig also headlinedQuantum of Solace(2008),Skyfall(2012), andSpectre(2015). Among the names who are rumored to be the next James Bond areKraven the HunterstarAaron Taylor-Johnson,Bridgertonactor Regé-Jean Page,Venomstar Tom Hardy,Man of Steellead Henry Cavill andOutlanderstar Sam Heughan, to name a few. Taylor-Johnson is the favorite, but a new name is seemingly a threat to the role.
Taylor-Johnson is the bookies' favorite to play James Bond. However, bookmakers noticed that a rising star and an Oscar nominee is seemingly gaining the same favor and is in close competition with theBullet Trainactor for the same role. The actor in question is no other thanPaul Mescal, who stars alongside Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in the newly released filmGladiator II.Per the bookmakers, Mescal’s odds of being the nextJames Bondhave been slashed from 10-1 to 3-1, Express reported. Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas, who starred inNo Time to Die,backed Mescal for the role. In a previous interview, when asked for an actor to play James Bond, she said, “I think Paul Mescal should be the one.” De Armas’Ghostedco-star Chris Evans added, “Paul Mescal is great. I’m a big Aaron Taylor-Johnson guy.”
Mescal hasn’t addressed the rumors about him potentially playing James Bond. Meanwhile, Taylor-Johnson urged those who loveJames Bondto watch his upcoming filmKraven the Hunter. “I think, you know, if that’s the thing you’re really into [Bond] and that’s the kind of movie you love, then you should come see this movie [Kraven the Hunter] because the action in this is insane and super exciting. So, yeah, honestly, I don’t think it would disappoint, brother,” he told ComicBook.
There is no doubt that the competition between Mescal and Taylor-Johnson for the James Bond role is tight. If Mescal got de Armas' support, Taylor-Johnson wasbacked by formerJames Bondstar Pierce Brosnan, who starred in four films portraying the popular British spy. According to theTomorrow Never Diesstar, Taylor-Johnson “has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so.” Craig, the most recentJames Bondstar,wasn’t particular as to who would carry the baton next. When asked for a potential name, he simply said, “I don’t care.”
If either Taylor-Johnson or Mescal gets to play the coveted role, it will not be a problem. Both will surely give justice to the character as they are versatile actors and have the build and charisma to be the next Bond. The pair are also active and athletic, which is essential in the franchise, which involves tons of action scenes. More importantly, they are in their prime years. Mescal is only 28, while Taylor-Johnson is 34. They are still young and could commit to multipleJames Bondmovies.
