A new favorite has now emerged for the iconic role of James Bond…and it’s actually a long-running fan-favorite. Man of Steel and The Witcher star Henry Cavill has now taken the top spot from Kraven the Hunter and Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, according to new data from Betway Casino (via The Express). Cavill has long been a top contender for the role of 007, with many Bond fans still hoping that the 41-year-old former Superman actor will take over from Daniel Craig in the beloved franchise.
New research reveals that, based on analysis of “Google searches, articles, article engagement and Reddit mentions for 31 potential actors” reportedly being considered or discussed for the role, Cavill takes the #1 spot from Taylor-Johnson. The report also says that MCU actor and Luthor star Idris Elba takes the third spot, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson in second, Venom star Tom Hardy in fourth, and Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy in fifth.
While it’s still very possible that either Cavill or Taylor-Johnson could be chosen for the role of James Bond, the latter three are highly unlikely based on both age and profile. Cavill, however, is now free from several major franchises, including The Witcher and the DC universe, with fans having been crying out for the actor to don a tux and sip a martini for years. Hey, it worked with Wolverine.
What’s Next for James Bond?
It is currently unknown exactly what the studio plans to do with James Bond following Daniel Craig’s swansong in 2021’s No Time to Die. The franchise is expected to take the saga into a new direction after Craig’s more straight-forward sequels, with some speculating that a much younger actor will be chosen to take on the role moving forward. Of course, the actor that will be chosen to lead this new iteration of James Bond remains unknown. While this latest research puts Henry Cavill in the lead, bookies still have Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the favorite, with the likes of James Norton, Damson Idris, and Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal following closely behind.
Eon is also now reportedly meeting with potential directors. Names at the top of that particular list include the Academy Award-winning Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), Kelly Marcel (Venom: The Last Dance), Australian filmmaker David Michôd (Animal Kingdom, The Rover), Bart Layton (The Imposter, American Animals), and Yann Demange (’71, Top Boy).
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The James Bond Franchise Needs a Complete Rebrand (And Ben Whishaw Agrees)
Ben Whishaw, who played Q alongside Daniel Craig, agrees that Bond 26 will need some changes.
The studio, however, thinks fans are happy to wait. Jennifer Salke, global head of Amazon MGM Studios, is currently working alongside long-time James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, and recently said that the “audience will be patient.”
“There are a lot of ideas [about potential actors] that have popped up that I thought are interesting. I think there are a lot of different ways we can go. We have a good and close relationship with Eon and Barbara and Michael. We are not looking to disrupt the way those wonderful films are made. For us, we are taking their lead. The global audience will be patient. We don’t want too much time between films, but we are not concerned at this point.”