It's interesting that the CBN post states MGW had said they saw 200 actors so we can imagine the scale of the search that will be underway for Bond26.
I posted a list of 12 previously on this thread and have proposed a bundle of other names on other threads but I doubt the total number of young, career early actors I've posted is more than 20. I'd be hard pressed to find too many more on IMDB even with dropping the height to 5'8'.
Out of the 16 CBN post names from the finalists of the pre-CR search, six of them are 30 or younger and another is 31 and another two are 33. So, while MGW has talked about candidates for Bond26 being someone well into their 30s, the post-Brosnan search went young-30s and younger for more than half of the finalists and more than a third of them were 30 or below and as young as 22.
I think the only names I would have recognised back then would have been Dougray Scott and Dominic West and I'd imagine when the Bond26 and beyond finalists are known, the division between known and unknown names will probably be similar.
I've got to say, though, if Amazon and Villeneuve want to break the mold, Aaron Pierre has a lot of strengths. He's an unusually good looking and charismatic guy, legitimate actor, great voice, tall (we know how much that matters around here), and excellent at doing press. In interviews you can tell he's funny and intelligent and quick on his feet.
And yes, he's doing DC's Lanterns—the same time as Villeneueve is doing Dune Messiah. So no conflict there. Granted: the DC contract has to be limiting in terms of his future availability.
Yeah Pierre's probably my favourite at the moment as he does seem to tick so many of the boxes (I've only seen him play lead in one film but he was very impressive), but you're right that having a contract tied to something else probably does make him a little less appealing. Maybe something clever can be done, I don't know.
The fact Aaron Pierre is doing Lanterns ends his Bond chances IMHO. I'd put him down as another 'known' who won't get the role. Once your identified as a superhero character, which are high profile roles, I think your chances are over. I don't think the Bond producers want the audience thinking, 'oh look there's a Green Lantern'.
Isn't it always high risk? Connery's end saw three actors including Connery's return between YOLT and LALD. Dalton, despite his popularity with Bond fans, was not really accepted by audiences. Brosnan was helped by the popularity of his Remington Steele series (which yes ended his chances in 1987) and the 6 year hiatus but DAD in 2002 grossed less than 2000's Mission Impossible 2, not a good film, and that ended Brosnan's run. Craig faced an onslaught of criticism, only silenced by the success of CR. Of the six actors to have played Bond only three can really be said to have had huge success, Connery, Moore and Craig whose films make up the top 13 grossing Bond films. DAD is 14th. And four of Moore's seven films are among the 10 lowest grossing films of the 25 made so far.
Ryan of "Analyse this, mister Bond" mentions in his latest video that according to the Hollywood Reporter the British actor Jonah Hauer-King has auditioned for the role of James Bond. However I can't find that Hollywood Reporter article. So this isn't gospel. but Hauer-King does look like a credible candidate. He's British, 30 years old, has the right look (but perhaps he looks too nice?), has a good (but not great) voice, seems charming, tall (187 cm) and he may be a rising star. He played the prince in the live action version of "The little mermaid", He's also been in Dr Who, "World on fire", "William Tell", "The tattooist of Auschwitz" , the re-make of "I know what you did last summer" and the rom-com "Threesome".
I see what you mean about "nice" @Number24 but all things can be corrected over time, even Moore occasionally managed a passable moment of anger or two. So I wouldn't say 'no' as it were.
He does check some of the boxes. I saw him in World on Fire. Regarding King looking too "nice", I kind of get it....he has what I would describe as "kind eyes".
IMHO he's too old. 37 already, he'll be 40 when the film comes out come 2028. But as we saw from the CommanderBond.net story Emtiem linked to, they looked at about 200 actors after DAD and that is obviously going to be a long process so I would put this casting rumour down to early explorations.
I saw Hauer-King in Dr Who recently and thought he really threw away a good villainous role: he should have been easy to hate but was very vanilla.
If the story about Rose-Marsh is true (and it’s THR so I guess stands a better chance than most) I think it’s good news: it means it’s happening now and they’re getting tapes in from everyone they can.
I’ve been a James Bond fan since I was 11 years old. I’m now 39. All that time, Bond was played by a much older man. Now, Bond will played by a much younger man. Apropos of nothing, but funny how that worked out.
Comments
CommanderBond.net reported all of them accurately just after Craig was cast 20 years ago or so:
I don't remember Idris Elba being talked about at the time as he hadn't really broken out yet, although The Wire had been running.
"just after" being the important bit.
It's interesting that the CBN post states MGW had said they saw 200 actors so we can imagine the scale of the search that will be underway for Bond26.
I posted a list of 12 previously on this thread and have proposed a bundle of other names on other threads but I doubt the total number of young, career early actors I've posted is more than 20. I'd be hard pressed to find too many more on IMDB even with dropping the height to 5'8'.
Out of the 16 CBN post names from the finalists of the pre-CR search, six of them are 30 or younger and another is 31 and another two are 33. So, while MGW has talked about candidates for Bond26 being someone well into their 30s, the post-Brosnan search went young-30s and younger for more than half of the finalists and more than a third of them were 30 or below and as young as 22.
I think the only names I would have recognised back then would have been Dougray Scott and Dominic West and I'd imagine when the Bond26 and beyond finalists are known, the division between known and unknown names will probably be similar.
Lamestream media getting it wrong again with Bond predictions choosing an actor who will be 40 in 2028.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/james-bond-reboot-finds-new-favorite-in-the-outlaws-star/ar-AA1IdW0P
No ginger Bonds, please.
I've got to say, though, if Amazon and Villeneuve want to break the mold, Aaron Pierre has a lot of strengths. He's an unusually good looking and charismatic guy, legitimate actor, great voice, tall (we know how much that matters around here), and excellent at doing press. In interviews you can tell he's funny and intelligent and quick on his feet.
And yes, he's doing DC's Lanterns—the same time as Villeneueve is doing Dune Messiah. So no conflict there. Granted: the DC contract has to be limiting in terms of his future availability.
Yeah Pierre's probably my favourite at the moment as he does seem to tick so many of the boxes (I've only seen him play lead in one film but he was very impressive), but you're right that having a contract tied to something else probably does make him a little less appealing. Maybe something clever can be done, I don't know.
The fact Aaron Pierre is doing Lanterns ends his Bond chances IMHO. I'd put him down as another 'known' who won't get the role. Once your identified as a superhero character, which are high profile roles, I think your chances are over. I don't think the Bond producers want the audience thinking, 'oh look there's a Green Lantern'.
Also, are Amazon going to want to play it safe rather than take risks?
Isn't it always high risk? Connery's end saw three actors including Connery's return between YOLT and LALD. Dalton, despite his popularity with Bond fans, was not really accepted by audiences. Brosnan was helped by the popularity of his Remington Steele series (which yes ended his chances in 1987) and the 6 year hiatus but DAD in 2002 grossed less than 2000's Mission Impossible 2, not a good film, and that ended Brosnan's run. Craig faced an onslaught of criticism, only silenced by the success of CR. Of the six actors to have played Bond only three can really be said to have had huge success, Connery, Moore and Craig whose films make up the top 13 grossing Bond films. DAD is 14th. And four of Moore's seven films are among the 10 lowest grossing films of the 25 made so far.
https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/18nmbka/bond_films_rank_ordered_and_adjusted_for_inflation/
Paddy Fitz for Commander Bond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yfXzMdbdc8
Mr McGoohan was approached, and declined.
He didn't want Bond.
Back to the 21st Century, Jack Lowden Please.
That is all.
Ryan of "Analyse this, mister Bond" mentions in his latest video that according to the Hollywood Reporter the British actor Jonah Hauer-King has auditioned for the role of James Bond. However I can't find that Hollywood Reporter article. So this isn't gospel. but Hauer-King does look like a credible candidate. He's British, 30 years old, has the right look (but perhaps he looks too nice?), has a good (but not great) voice, seems charming, tall (187 cm) and he may be a rising star. He played the prince in the live action version of "The little mermaid", He's also been in Dr Who, "World on fire", "William Tell", "The tattooist of Auschwitz" , the re-make of "I know what you did last summer" and the rom-com "Threesome".
The trailer of "Treesome".
I see what you mean about "nice" @Number24 but all things can be corrected over time, even Moore occasionally managed a passable moment of anger or two. So I wouldn't say 'no' as it were.
He does check some of the boxes. I saw him in World on Fire. Regarding King looking too "nice", I kind of get it....he has what I would describe as "kind eyes".
Hi Number24, it's not Jonah Hauer-King Ryan mentions in his latest video as tipped by The Hollywood Reporter, it is Scott Rose-Marsh.
At 29 seconds in he refers to 1988 born Scott Rose-Marsh.
Here is The Hollywood Reporter new story.
IMHO he's too old. 37 already, he'll be 40 when the film comes out come 2028. But as we saw from the CommanderBond.net story Emtiem linked to, they looked at about 200 actors after DAD and that is obviously going to be a long process so I would put this casting rumour down to early explorations.
I can mix up anything it's a superpower! I think someone mentioned Hauer-King in the comments.
I saw Hauer-King in Dr Who recently and thought he really threw away a good villainous role: he should have been easy to hate but was very vanilla.
If the story about Rose-Marsh is true (and it’s THR so I guess stands a better chance than most) I think it’s good news: it means it’s happening now and they’re getting tapes in from everyone they can.
Another voice of reason: (But I don't think there is any chance of a gender-swapped bond anyway)
If you follow the other threads you'll se that Barbel and I are of one mind, but I'm just a few hours slower.
I’ve been a James Bond fan since I was 11 years old. I’m now 39. All that time, Bond was played by a much older man. Now, Bond will played by a much younger man. Apropos of nothing, but funny how that worked out.
Sounds like a fun play. Gay black Bond anyone?
More about this at
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/17/pierce-brosnan-james-bond-british-gq-interview-villeneuve/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pierce-brosnan-teases-exciting-potential-110000667.html
I saw this yesterday and tried to read it, but it’s behind a paywall 😞
I’d actually be happy if Brozza came back to play a retired Bond - probably for only one film mind 🤔
If Glen Powell was British, younger and not famous yet (that's a lot of ifs) he's be a very good James Bond:
We bring good tidings to James Bond fans! The 2025 Christmas Special will start in a week, on Sunday the 30th of November.
James Bond in:
How titillating!
Is that for real @Number24
Answering on behalf of N24 - Yes it is!
Thank you, but I think (his) mouth is too small.
The Christmas Special "Goldenbra" starts on Sunday, and gradually everything will be revealed here:
https://www.ajb007.co.uk/discussion/57300/the-ajb-2025-christmas-special#latest