In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has assumed full creative control over the James Bond franchise, marking a significant shift as long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson step back. This development has sparked widespread speculation about who will take on the iconic role of 007 next.
Jeff Bezos, the head of Amazon, recently posed this very question to his followers on X / Twitter, igniting a fervent discussion among fans. While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, one name has emerged as the clear favorite: Henry Cavill.
AnswerSee ResultsThe online buzz around Henry Cavill intensified immediately after Bezos' tweet, reflecting the strong support from the James Bond community for the actor known for his roles in Superman and The Witcher. Cavill's potential to step into the shoes of 007 has gained further traction with Amazon's involvement, especially given his recent commitment to star in and produce their ambitious Warhammer 40,000 project.
Cavill's journey with the Bond franchise is well-documented, having auditioned for the role in 2006's Casino Royale. Director Martin Campbell praised Cavill's performance, calling it "tremendous," yet the decision ultimately favored Daniel Craig due to Cavill's young age at the time. In a 2023 interview with The Express, Campbell reiterated his admiration for Cavill, stating, "He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape… very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then."
Cavill himself reflected on the experience in an interview with Josh Horowitz, acknowledging the decision to cast Craig and expressing his respect for Craig's portrayal over the subsequent films. "They obviously went with Daniel and I think it was an amazing choice to go with Daniel. I probably wasn’t ready at the time and I think Daniel did an incredible job over the past movies, so I’m happy they made that choice," Cavill remarked.
As the search for the next James Bond continues following Daniel Craig's departure after No Time to Die, the question of Cavill's suitability remains pertinent. Campbell noted the age considerations for the role, suggesting that the next actor would likely commit to three films, a timeline that would see Cavill reaching 50 by the end of his potential tenure. "Henry’s 40, so by the time he’s done the third one he’s going to be 50. Anything beyond that’s two, three years per Bond. He’s in good shape Henry, he’s a good guy. He did very well in the audition, but ironically, he was too young," Campbell concluded.
With Amazon now steering the creative direction of the franchise, the possibility of Henry Cavill donning the tuxedo as the next 007 seems more plausible than ever, fueled by fan enthusiasm and his proven track record in high-profile roles.
