Now that Amazon MGM has set Denis Villeneuve to direct Bond 26, there are a couple of big decisions left to make. A screenwriter is next on the list, followed by the actor who will take on the role of 007. Variety reports that on Amazon’s shortlist are Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson, all English actors under 30, to play James Bond.
The criteria all but eliminates other actors on fan wishlists, such as Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson who are too old. A decision is expected to be made soon in order to have the next movie ready for theaters in 2028.
Elordi is another popular choice with fans following his roles in Euphoria, Priscilla, and Saltburn. He most recently starred in the drama On Swift Horses. Holland is pretty busy with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and his likely appearances in the next two Avengers movies. Dickinson is known for his roles in The Iron Claw, Babygirl, and The King’s Man.
If I had money to bet on it, I’d go with Dickinson, who has the look, style, and is less of a known figure than Elordi and Holland. The actor should never overshadow the character, and that’s a rule that has served the Bond franchise well over many decades.
Overall, I find these choices incredibly dull. Come on, really?
How much power will Villeneuve have in picking the next Bond? In a report by Puck, Villeneuve is only aboard to direct one movie, and he won’t even have final cut on it. That says producers David Heyman (who wanted Alfonso Cuaron) and Amy Pascal are holding tight to the creative reins. They’ll want to name a screenwriter with no connection to the previous era of Bond movies, and move the franchise in a completely new direction. Villeneuve is the guy to kick that off, but not take it into the future.
