Denis Villeneuve has a chance to reinvent the James Bond franchise with a dynamic choice for the title role in his upcoming James Bond film; here are three actors who could take 007 into his new era…
What makes a great James Bond? Ian Fleming, the creator of 007, knew that Bond had to look stylish and sophisticated in a tuxedo, drinking his shaken not stirred vodka martini while on a clandestine MI6 mission to save the world. This notion of what makes a great James Bond is certainly top of mind for Denis Villeneuve, the director of the next James Bond film, and the man who will introduce the seventh actor to portray the 00-agent with a license to kill in the iconic film series.
Denis Villeneuve is a visionary director, most recently with the Dune franchise starring Timothée Chalamet, in which he took this iconic source material and transformed it into a cinematic masterpiece of world-building, religious fanaticism, and heroic sacrifice in the backdrop of an intergalactic war of empires. As with his unconventional choice of Chalamet to portray a boy who would become a supreme being, I suspect he is likely to do the same with his choice of an actor to portray James Bond.
Given Villeneuve is likely to continue with the concept that 007 is of British/English or Commonwealth national origin, here are three fantastic choices of actors to portray MI6’s most lethal asset, and why they’d be perfect for the next 007…
Richard Madden – The Sophisticate
Here are the facts – Richard Madden exudes this Bond “it-factor” with his suave, sophisticated, and elegant way he comes across on screen. The Golden Globe winner has been “King in the North”, a Marvel superhero, and his skills with firearms were very much on display in TV series such as Bodyguard and Citadel.
Madden is also Scottish, which would be a nostalgic nod to arguably the greatest James Bond, Sean Connery, who was also Scottish. He’s been rumored to be on the Bond shortlist for years, but what makes him particularly suited for the role is his ability to combine rugged charm with a vulnerable sensibility that’s rare in most James Bond actors. We’ve seen that side of Madden in his roles in Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2015), Rocketman, and 1917.
Should Villeneuve choose Madden to be the next James Bond, he’d yet again be taking a talented actor and transforming him into an international franchise superstar as he did with Chalamet in Dune – and I’d say Villeneuve’s instincts for capturing “lightning in a bottle” would be remarkably on display once again!
Aaron Pierre – The Game Changer
One fan favorite to portray James Bond is certainly be Aaron Pierre as he’s been raking up some amazing acting credits over the past few years with his roles in the Netflix hit Rebel Ridge, a voiceover role as Mufasa in Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, and most recently he’s been cast as Green Lantern (John Stewart) in the HBO Max DC series Lanterns.
London-born and a graduate of the prestigious LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts), Pierre would certainly be a game-changing choice for James Bond as he would be the first actor of Afro-Caribbean descent to portray the former Commander of the Royal Navy Reserve-turned MI6 spy. The Austin Film Critics Association 2025 “Breakthrough Artist” award winner has the potential to turn the James Bond persona on its head with his deep booming voice, his regal demeanor, and at 6’3″, he’d be the tallest and most physically imposing actor to portray Bond.
Pierre’s a Shakespearean-trained actor with the intensity and vulnerability to embody Ian Fleming’s Bond, who was morally ambiguous as a consequence of a dark and dangerous past in wartime espionage missions. This role as James Bond could be the star-making vehicle for Pierre, and should Villeneuve decide to be daring and go against the archetype and cast Pierre, he would be the first James Bond of color to assume the mantle of 007.
Paul Mescal – The Movie Star
Irish-born Paul Mescal is arguably the most gifted and talented actor in this list, with his Oscar nomination and his BAFTA win for his role in Aftersun. Ever since that performance, he’s been sizzling off the screen in emotionally charged art films like All of Us Strangers, Foe, and The History of Sound. However, it was his role as Lucius in Gladiator II, opposite Denzel Washington, that solidified him as a bona fide movie star and action hero.
At 29, Mescal would be the youngest actor to portray Bond, yet his youthful edge would be refreshing to explore in this spy world of international espionage, Aston Martin speedsters outfitted with missiles and tear gas, and gold luxury Omega Seamaster wrist watches. Mescal could bring in new and younger audiences to the Bond franchise with his modern take on a sleek, British bad-boy who loves his gadgets, exotic locales, fast cars, women, and most of all his country.
The Emmy-nominated actor for his role in the Hulu miniseries Normal People, speaks Gaelic, he plays the piano, and he will star as William Shakespeare in the upcoming drama Hamnet. To say that Mescal is talented is certainly an understatement, as he continues to be a youthful force of natural talent in Hollywood. Mescal has also been cast to portray Paul McCartney in two upcoming Beatles biopics from the perspectives of Ringo Starr and George Harrison from Oscar winning director Sam Mendes. Mescal could certainly snag another Oscar nomination for either of these roles, further elevating his movie star status.
Mescal has this unpredictable charm that is infectious and endearing, and with an innovative director like Villeneuve at the helm, Mescal’s boyish anti-hero angst could shine in a new era of Bond fandom for years to come. And should Villeneuve select Mescal as the new “Bond… James Bond”, his portrayal could be the first in a possible 20-plus-year stint in the role when you consider that Daniel Craig and Roger Moore were in their 50s when they filmed their last Bond movies.
Whether Villeneuve decides to go with a suave, sophisticated Bond, or a game-changing, physically imposing Bond, or a youthful, revolutionary movie star Bond, or otherwise, he’s an emotional storyteller who is a thought-provoking filmmaker who knows how to craft an inspiring character-driven narrative that resonates with the masses.
SEE ALSO: Is Denis Villeneuve the Best Choice to Direct Bond?
What actors would you suggest succeed Daniel Craig as the new James Bond for new era of Bond? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Anthony Cooper
