As one of the longest-running movie franchises of all-time, James Bond has gone through seven actors portraying the dashing MI6 spy. 2021’s No Time To Die marks the last outing as the character by Daniel Craig, who was often praised as being the closest actor to portray Bond as was originally written (per BBC). Now, the hunt is on for the next 007 — and it’s going to be no easy ordeal.

The franchise’s producers have explained that James Bond is a continually evolving character — one that keeps up with modern men. The next actor to take on the character will have to reinvent the character sufficiently so that it may evolve for the times. So, James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are definitely going to take their time casting the next 007. Of course, fans can’t stop speculating about whom the next James Bond might be. Here are the top 7 fan picks for the next 007.

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Idris Elba

     StudioCanal

Idris Elba is possibly the most popular pick by fans to become the next 007, and has been so for a couple of years. If he were to take the job, he would be the first Black James Bond, keeping perfectly with the producers’ aim to continually evolve the character. Elba has a hard time parting with his suave demeanor in any role he takes on, making him the perfect fit for the role. But given that the actor is already 50 years old at this point, he’s probably not in the radar to be cast for the years-long commitment required of this character.

Henry Cavill

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Henry Cavill has been fortunate enough to take on the silver screen portrayal of quite a handful of iconic characters from pop culture — from becoming the new face of Superman to taking on the role of Sherlock Holmes. Adding James Bond to the list would be perfectly in line with the kind of roles he’s adept at playing. Cavill is pretty much like a ready-made 007, having played a similar sort of dashing, suited-up spy in movies like The Man from U.N.C.L.E and Mission: Impossible — Fallout. It is not difficult to see why fans would love to see Cavill become the next James Bond.

Tom Hardy

     Studio Canal

Tom Hardy is most easily remembered for his gritty roles in films such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant. However, he’s been able to easily take a turn into the sophisticated, mysterious spy-types in films such as Inception and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. But he’s been notoriously reluctant to speak about fans’ calls to cast him as the next Bond. That is, until he finally broke his silence in an interview with The Daily Beast, sharing a kind of acting superstition where “if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race.” The statement does hint that Hardy would like to take on the role, if given the opportunity.

Tom Hiddleston

     BBC One

Tom Hiddleston has been a top fan pick to play James Bond before Daniel Craig was even done with his last film. Rumors were at fever pitch back in 2019, when Craig was not quite sure about continuing his tenure as Bond. Bookmakers placed him as the odds-on favorite choice to replace Craig during this time. Hiddleston has already proven his espionage movie chops in the nail-biting thriller The Night Manager. A year after Craig’s official retirement from the role, fans continue to pitch Hiddleston’s name for the next Bond.

Aidan Turner

     BBC

Irish actor Aidan Turner became popular through series like Poldark and Being Human. He’s also famous for playing the role of Kili in The Hobbit trilogy. His name crops up regularly during discussions on the next Bond, especially in the UK. Turner has a special ability to completely transform himself from one role to the next, from his looks to the feel of his persona. Part of this incredible range includes the ability to embody the classic British elegance, combined with a dangerous edge. His performance as Philip Lombard in And Then There Were None is a fine example of this character type, and could easily be molded into another James Bond.

Regé-Jean Page

     Netflix

Regé-Jean Page is most well-known as Duke Simon Basset in Bridgerton, Netflix’s popular historical romance series. Although he only appeared in the first season, he remains among the fans’ favorite characters in the series. Page carried his role in the series with a dazzling charm, the kind that one expect of MI6’s most dangerous spy. He is also in the right age range that the James Bond producers are looking for — at just 34 years of age, he is just right to lead the spy franchise for the next decade or so. And if he does become the next James Bond, he would be the first Black actor to take on the role.

Michael Fassbender

     The Weinstein Company

Michael Fassbender has spent his career in big-production films such as the X-Men prequel trilogy and Prometheus. The classically trained actor has explored a variety of film types, playing everything from a futuristic android robot to World War II soldier. With a tough, bearded look and an imposing physical presence, his name has been thrown in all too often for the next 007. However, while Fassbender confesses to be a big Bond fan, he doesn’t see himself as a good fit for the role, saying that the franchise needs to head in another direction.