15 Actors To Play James Bond

Idris Elba

The star of one of TF's favourite telly show's Luther , Elba definitely has the presence and power to play special agent 007.

But according to Elba: “My Dad and I were talking about this the other day because he said ‘You could do it, would you do it?’ I was like ‘Yeah, I would do it, but I just don’t want to be called the first black James Bond’.”

Shaky Or Stirring? Shaky. Elba wants Bond fans to look past his race and focus on his acting abilities; we reckon he'd be perfect for the part.

Gerard Butler

Butler's been rumoured for Bond for so long, it's actually tempted him into considering it.

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“I’d love to play James Bond, but it’s been said so often, so inaccurately.”

After seeing him in those little pants in 300 , we think he’d fit the sea-exit-scene very nicely.

Shaky Or Stirring? Shaky. It seems that the rumours are literally just rumours and nothing more… boohoo.

Sam Worthington

During the recent hiatus between Bond flicks, William Hill tipped Worthington as the favourite to replace Craig at 5/2 odds.

And for once, the bookies made a fairly good shout. We'd love to see Worthington running around wearing a tux and a scowl.

If producers wanted the next Bond to be as tough as Craig, they could do a lot worse.

Shaky Or Stirring? He’s favourite at the bookies, but he's never expressed an interest in the role. Maybe if they decide to take the franchise into 3D.

Hugh Jackman

Jackman turned down the role of Bond in Casino Royale as he was playing Wolverine at the time, but it seems now he wants his turn again.

“I think every male at some point thinks about playing James Bond so it was not right then, but it may be right if it comes back,” he said.

Shaky Or Stirring ? Stirring. Jackman sounds fairly keen on the project, it sounds like unfinished business to us. Either that or he's developed a recent taste for Martini.

Henry Cavill

The 28-year-old British star of Man Of Steel was narrowly beaten by Craig for Casino Royale .

Cavill even had screen tests to play the iconic 007 in 2005.

"That would be absolutely amazing," Cavill told Total Film with regards to playing Bond. "If they approached me on that I'd leap at the opportunity to do it. But that's of course well away for the time being..."

Shaky Or Stirring? Stirring. Cavill seems like a genuine competitor, he seems passionate about the project, plus he’s already had the screenshots! Still, he does have another franchise to concentrate on at the moment...

Colin Firth

Colin has been voted as one of the best looking British men, he has the regal swagger needed for the role after his academy award winning performance in The Kings Speech and he's proved he as an interest in the spy genre with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy .

Surprisingly, though, Firth has never expressed an interest in the iconic part.

However, he has told interviewers that he is eager to play ‘edgier roles’ so maybe this is the route for him?

Shaky Or Stirring? Shaky. Firth doesn't seem particularly passionate about the franchise and, post-Oscar, he's probably got his eye on more complex prospects.

Michael Fassbender

When the X-Men: First Class star was questioned about taking over as 007 once Craig’s tenure as Bond is over, he said:

“We’ll see what happens. I’m very flattered that people are sort of making that link, but - I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Shaky Or Stirring? Stirring. Despite Fassbinder’s reluctance, he practically channelled Sean Connery's Bond for his First Class' Magneto. He's definitely at the top of our wish list.

Colin Salmon

Firth and Fassbender might not have expressed an interest in the part, but Colin Salmon definitely has.

And he certainly knows his way around a 007 set - he's already starred in three Bond films as Charles Robinson.

However, Salmon thinks his previous casting will hinder him: "The process is more political than politics but I really want to be Bond. I know the British public is behind me."

Shaky Or Stirring? Shaken. Salmon is up for the job, but the process of establishing a former supporting player as Bond is probably a bit too complicated, sadly.

Tom Hardy

When Christopher Nolan asked Hardy to add a little bit of James Bond to his Inception character Eames, Hardy's reaction? "Brilliant!"

Which sounds like he's up for playing the character to us. And if he could help tempt Nolan into taking on the franchise, we'd have pretty much our dream Bond flick.

Shaky Or Stirring? Stirring. He likes the part, he's perfect for it, and he's young enough to hang on until the next movie. Let’s keep our fingers firmly crossed.

Benedict Cumberbatch

The 35 year old Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy actor is “desperate” to play Bond.

Benedict is quite forward in saying that he is “Tailor made for James Bond Job.”

And if he's good enough to play Sherlock Holmes, he's good enough for Bond.

Shaky Or Stirring? Stirring. Cumberbatch seems incredibly enthusiastic to play the part, and he's currently getting experience on another massive franchise ( The Hobbit ).

So it might not be too long before we hear the immortal words: “Cumberbatch, Benedict Cumberbatch.”