With Daniel Craig on the way out after his explosive performance in the fall film "Spectre," folks are beginning to get curious as to who the next 007 will be. Though another Bond flick isn't slated yet, it'll likely come in late 2017 or 2018. Who will be man (or woman) for the job is also up in the air. With lots of speculation, we have a few ideas of our own as to who will be the witty, athletic and cleverly cunning Bond. James Bond. If they want to top Craig, it'll have to be an actor who does their own stunts as well. Between women, African-Americans and redheads, we're likely looking at a new kind of progressive protagonist in the next 007 installment.
Michael Fassbender
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, michael fassbender]()
He's proven his worth lately as the titular tech mogul in "Steve Jobs," as well as the lead in December's "Macbeth." With his mother originally from Northern Ireland and his father of German descent, Fassbender offers the charm and quick wit of a good 007, but with our society reaching progressive new heights, don't be surprised if they mix it up in a big way next round. "But who then?" you ask...
Idris Elba
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, idris elba]()
We've had a black president, so it's about time we had ourselves a black Bond. A heavy favorite for the next suit-and-tie spy, Elba is a London native - point - and has experience in weighty franchises - "Prometheus," that's another point - but did we mention he's also an African-American? I think we have a likely candidate here in the former "The Wire" actor.
Emily Blunt
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, emily blunt]()
We're about to have ourselves a woman president, so it's probably time we had ourselves a Lady Bond. Between 2014's "Edge of Tomorrow" and the recent "Sicario," we've seen that Blunt is quite the capable combat girl. And to be blunt, a bit of a smoking hottie, too. We also know she has comedic chops thanks to films like "The Five-Year Engagement." Does this mean we'll have a Bond Boy as the love interest? Or two hot actresses doing girl-on-girl kisses in the film?
Tom Hardy
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, tom hardy]()
Who wouldn't love to have Hardy at the helm of the next James Bond film? After pulling off Halloween favorite Bane in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy, along with his recent films "Legend" and "Bronson," we get the feeling the British actor can pull off any role at any body weight, even if that means a trimmed-down spy. We already know he'd kill the fights scenes, and we're not using that word lightly.
David Oyelowo
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, david oyelowo]()
He's doing the voiceover for the latest Bond book "Trigger Mortis" - yes, that's an awful title, we know - so maybe this is a hint as to who our next tuxedo-toting spy will be. After holding down a role in "Interstellar" as well as his award-winning character in "Selma," it's not too hard to picture Oyelowo as the next Bond. Or maybe he's just got a great voice.
Hugh Jackman
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, hugh jackman]()
He's done everything else from theater to high-budget action franchises, so it would make sense that the ruggedly charming Jackman could step into the role for a movie or two while he's still young. I mean, if Pierce Brosnan can get the part after doing "Mrs. Doubtfire," why can't he?
Henry Cavill
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, henry cavill]()
Can a superhero cross over to the realm of superspy? If anyone can, it's likely the "Man of Steel" himself, Henry Cavill. After enough failed attempts at reviving Superman for the modern age - it only takes one flop, Bryan Singer - Cavill represents the future of the franchise as he's about to go head-to-head with Batman and Lex Luthor in next summer's biggest blockbuster. On top of that, his performance in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was noteworthy, and his good looks couldn't hurt when stepping into Bond's shoes.
Benedict Cumberbatch
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, benedict cumberbatch]()
One of the most authentic and likable actors around right now, Cumberbatch has rocked roles as big and British as Sherlock Holmes, as commercial as "The Hobbit" trilogy and is as versatile as "Zoolander 2." Born and raised in London and nominated for Oscars, he seems as qualified as anyone for the role of Bond. James Bond.
Damien Lewis
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, damien lewis]()
He's got the Daniel Craig look going on, but are we really ready for a redheaded Bond? After playing the role American captive Nicholas Brody on Showtime's "Homeland," we found ourselves sad when the traitor died, which makes us think it'd be easy to like him in the role of Bond. But seriously, we could handle a Lady Bond, but a ginger one? We're not sure the world's ready for that.
Rebecca Ferguson
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, rebecca ferguson]()
Easily the most impressive "Mission: Impossible" Girl to date, Ferguson showed us, like most Bonds, that she's not just looks. She's sassy, sexy and a stunt girl in addition to a good dresser with a hard body. Frankly, we're already sold.
Daniel Day-Lewis
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, daniel day-lewis]()
Because hey, Daniel Day-Lewis. It was either him or Tilda Swinton for our last bold choice. We think both would make excellent Bond choices.
Daniel Craig
![actors who could play the next james bond, actors who could play the next 007, daniel craig]()
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Craig signed an extension in 2012 that technically included "Spectre" and one more film as Bond. Don't be surprised if we get more of what's possibly our favorite 007 yet, considering "Skyfall" grossed more than $1 billion and "Spectre" already pulled in half that in just over two weeks. Most likely, the decision weighs on Sam Mendes and whether or not he returns to direct again, which as of now, looks bleak. Craig said only Mendes could direct "Spectre." Who will be Bond for the 25th installment? Obama? We'll see if he's free.
Michael Fassbender
He's proven his worth lately as the titular tech mogul in "Steve Jobs," as well as the lead in December's "Macbeth." With his mother originally from Northern Ireland and his father of German descent, Fassbender offers the charm and quick wit of a good 007, but with our society reaching progressive new heights, don't be surprised if they mix it up in a big way next round. "But who then?" you ask...
Idris Elba
We've had a black president, so it's about time we had ourselves a black Bond. A heavy favorite for the next suit-and-tie spy, Elba is a London native - point - and has experience in weighty franchises - "Prometheus," that's another point - but did we mention he's also an African-American? I think we have a likely candidate here in the former "The Wire" actor.
Emily Blunt
We're about to have ourselves a woman president, so it's probably time we had ourselves a Lady Bond. Between 2014's "Edge of Tomorrow" and the recent "Sicario," we've seen that Blunt is quite the capable combat girl. And to be blunt, a bit of a smoking hottie, too. We also know she has comedic chops thanks to films like "The Five-Year Engagement." Does this mean we'll have a Bond Boy as the love interest? Or two hot actresses doing girl-on-girl kisses in the film?
Tom Hardy
Who wouldn't love to have Hardy at the helm of the next James Bond film? After pulling off Halloween favorite Bane in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy, along with his recent films "Legend" and "Bronson," we get the feeling the British actor can pull off any role at any body weight, even if that means a trimmed-down spy. We already know he'd kill the fights scenes, and we're not using that word lightly.
David Oyelowo
He's doing the voiceover for the latest Bond book "Trigger Mortis" - yes, that's an awful title, we know - so maybe this is a hint as to who our next tuxedo-toting spy will be. After holding down a role in "Interstellar" as well as his award-winning character in "Selma," it's not too hard to picture Oyelowo as the next Bond. Or maybe he's just got a great voice.
Hugh Jackman
He's done everything else from theater to high-budget action franchises, so it would make sense that the ruggedly charming Jackman could step into the role for a movie or two while he's still young. I mean, if Pierce Brosnan can get the part after doing "Mrs. Doubtfire," why can't he?
Henry Cavill
Can a superhero cross over to the realm of superspy? If anyone can, it's likely the "Man of Steel" himself, Henry Cavill. After enough failed attempts at reviving Superman for the modern age - it only takes one flop, Bryan Singer - Cavill represents the future of the franchise as he's about to go head-to-head with Batman and Lex Luthor in next summer's biggest blockbuster. On top of that, his performance in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." was noteworthy, and his good looks couldn't hurt when stepping into Bond's shoes.
Benedict Cumberbatch
One of the most authentic and likable actors around right now, Cumberbatch has rocked roles as big and British as Sherlock Holmes, as commercial as "The Hobbit" trilogy and is as versatile as "Zoolander 2." Born and raised in London and nominated for Oscars, he seems as qualified as anyone for the role of Bond. James Bond.
Damien Lewis
He's got the Daniel Craig look going on, but are we really ready for a redheaded Bond? After playing the role American captive Nicholas Brody on Showtime's "Homeland," we found ourselves sad when the traitor died, which makes us think it'd be easy to like him in the role of Bond. But seriously, we could handle a Lady Bond, but a ginger one? We're not sure the world's ready for that.
Rebecca Ferguson
Easily the most impressive "Mission: Impossible" Girl to date, Ferguson showed us, like most Bonds, that she's not just looks. She's sassy, sexy and a stunt girl in addition to a good dresser with a hard body. Frankly, we're already sold.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Because hey, Daniel Day-Lewis. It was either him or Tilda Swinton for our last bold choice. We think both would make excellent Bond choices.
Daniel Craig
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Craig signed an extension in 2012 that technically included "Spectre" and one more film as Bond. Don't be surprised if we get more of what's possibly our favorite 007 yet, considering "Skyfall" grossed more than $1 billion and "Spectre" already pulled in half that in just over two weeks. Most likely, the decision weighs on Sam Mendes and whether or not he returns to direct again, which as of now, looks bleak. Craig said only Mendes could direct "Spectre." Who will be Bond for the 25th installment? Obama? We'll see if he's free.