Henry Cavill (aged 42)
Henry Cavill auditioned for James Bond back in 2006
(Ian West/PA)
Half the internet thinks it’s a great idea, but it’s hard to picture Cavill as the roguish spy: Bond is distinctly not Superman. However, Cavill’s schedule has freed up since stepping down from The Witcher and with DC going in a new direction with Kal-El. Putting his occasionally cringeworthy Instagram videos aside, he now has much “experience” that Wilson sought.
Cavill auditioned for Bond in 2006, with Casino Royale director Martin Campbell praising his acting as “tremendous”. Campbell said: “If Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He just looked a little young at that time.”
A strong contender then, if producers overlook the fact that he’s now crossed the 40-mark.
Luke Evans (aged 46)
Luke Evans has lots of experience in action roles making him a suitable candidate
Dave Benett
The Welsh actor and singer has a lot going for him. First and foremost, he’s not 26. He’s also six feet tall, looks sharp in a suit, and has much experience in action roles. He played Apollo in Clash of the Titans in 2010 and has since appeared in several Fast & Furious films, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and Luc Besson’s Anna.
So, have we found the perfect candidate? Well, he’s four years over Wilson’s new age limit, which might, unfortunately, make him a bit too old for the role.
Tom Hardy (aged 47)
Tom Hardy appears to be more of the likely candidates
AFP via Getty Images
With his thrilling mix of posh charm and rough-around-the-edges persona, Hardy is perhaps one of the most fitting actors for Bond. He has that rare combination of sophistication and danger, making him utterly believable as the iconic spy.
You can easily imagine women swooning at the sight of him, just as much as you can picture him throttling a double-crossing agent with his bare hands, all while enjoying a full English breakfast. Age aside, Hardy seems one of the more likely candidates for the role, though producer Broccoli is typically staying tight-lipped.