Key Takeaways
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the top contender for the role of James Bond.
- Paul Mescal’s odds as the next James Bond have been slashed.
- Both actors possess the versatility, athleticism, and charisma required for the iconic character.
Since Daniel Craig confirmed his departure from the James Bond franchise, many have been looking forward to learning who would take the mantle next. Several names have resurfaced, but one actor is making waves in the betting world.
Craig brought to light a new persona of the famous fictional character M16 agent James Bond, aka agent “007” because his films were emotionally complex. He starred in five movies, making his debut in Casino Royale (2006) and concluding his story arc in No Time to Die (2021). Craig also headlined Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), and Spectre (2015). Among the names who are rumored to be the next James Bond are Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bridgerton actor Regé-Jean Page, Venom star Tom Hardy, Man of Steel lead Henry Cavill and Outlander star Sam Heughan, to name a few. Taylor-Johnson is the favorite, but a new name is seemingly a threat to the role.
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Taylor-Johnson is the bookies’ favorite to play James Bond. However, bookmakers noticed that a rising star and an Oscar nominee is seemingly gaining the same favor and is in close competition with the Bullet Train actor for the same role. The actor in question is no other than Paul Mescal, who stars alongside Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in the newly released film Gladiator II. Per the bookmakers, Mescal’s odds of being the next James Bond have been slashed from 10-1 to 3-1, Express reported. Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas, who starred in No Time to Die, backed Mescal for the role. In a previous interview, when asked for an actor to play James Bond, she said, “I think Paul Mescal should be the one.” De Armas’ Ghosted co-star Chris Evans added, “Paul Mescal is great. I’m a big Aaron Taylor-Johnson guy.”
Mescal hasn’t addressed the rumors about him potentially playing James Bond. Meanwhile, Taylor-Johnson urged those who love James Bond to watch his upcoming film Kraven the Hunter. “I think, you know, if that’s the thing you’re really into [Bond] and that’s the kind of movie you love, then you should come see this movie [Kraven the Hunter] because the action in this is insane and super exciting. So, yeah, honestly, I don’t think it would disappoint, brother,” he told ComicBook.
There is no doubt that the competition between Mescal and Taylor-Johnson for the James Bond role is tight. If Mescal got de Armas’ support, Taylor-Johnson was backed by former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, who starred in four films portraying the popular British spy. According to the Tomorrow Never Dies star, Taylor-Johnson “has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so.” Craig, the most recent James Bond star, wasn’t particular as to who would carry the baton next. When asked for a potential name, he simply said, “I don’t care.”
If either Taylor-Johnson or Mescal gets to play the coveted role, it will not be a problem. Both will surely give justice to the character as they are versatile actors and have the build and charisma to be the next Bond. The pair are also active and athletic, which is essential in the franchise, which involves tons of action scenes. More importantly, they are in their prime years. Mescal is only 28, while Taylor-Johnson is 34. They are still young and could commit to multiple James Bond movies.
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Source: Express