Daniel Craig let go, the role of James Bond is contested by Hollywood stars: Tense than strings

Hollywood was stirred by the buzz about the announcement to cast the next James Bond actor after Daniel Craig. Producer Barbara Broccoli said she is looking for a younger actor who can play the role in the next 10-12 years.

"It's been a really long process. Barbara is going to meet every candidate in person," a new James Bond actor told Page Six of the candidates, adding: "all of them." They both had to wear formal clothes and audition at Pinewood - The Bond UK Studios."

Names touted over the past few years have included Richard Madden, Tom Hardy and Idris Elba, although actor Idris Elba (50) has announced he won't take the role.

Leading the list now is Aaron Taylor-Johnson (32), who met Broccoli and had an acting test last September.

In fact, bookmakers consider Taylor-Johnson the most favorite actor to land the role.

In the meantime, here are the candidates in the race to be the next 007 agent.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Handsome and with a sense of humour, Taylor-Johnson is reminiscent of one of the best James Bonds of all time - the late, great Scotsman, Sean Connery.

In December 2022, it was reported that Aaron had acted in a number of scenes as James Bond, with the memorable "barrel tease" that often appears in the 007 series.

Taylor-Johnson won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a smooth-talking villain in the 2016 horror film Nocturnal Animals, playing the memorable Count Vronsky in 2012's Anna Karenina alongside Keira Knightley, Pietro Maximoff in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Last year, Taylor-Johnson co-starred with Brad Pitt in Bullet Train.

Just 21 years old, Taylor-Johnson married director Sam Taylor-Johnson - 23 years his senior - in 2012 and they have two daughters: Wylda Rae, Romy Hero.

James Norton

While most Americans have not heard of James Norton, he is well known in the United Kingdom for his incredible performance as psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, the television series that earned him a BAFTA nomination.

The actor who played the vicar in the movie Grantchester, is currently starring in A Little Life based on the best-selling novel by Hanya Yanagihara.

At 37, Norton - whose girlfriend is actress Imogen Poots - may be considered too old to take on the role of James Bond.

Henry Cavill

Known for the past decade as Superman, Henry Cavill suddenly got his chance to become James Bond.

An uproar at Warner Bros when the Man of Steel star was dropped from the lead role in December 2022. DC Studios director and co-president James Gunn announced plans for a new movie focusing on a younger version of the superhero.

Argylle director Matthew Vaughn commented that playing 007 was something Cavill was "born to do".

Henry Cavill came very close to the role of Bond before Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale in 2006.

But Cavill, now 39, may not be sad to lose the role to Craig. "I thought going with Daniel was a great option. I wasn't ready at the time," he admitted.

Regé-Jean Page

Famous for his cool scenes in Bridgerton's first season, Page could make history as the first black James Bond.

"It's a great honor to play James Bond," Page, 34, told Vanity Fair.

Page had an overnight hit in 2020, playing the dashing Duke of Hastings in the first season of Bridgerton opposite Phoebe Dynevor. But he stunned fans by not returning for a second season.

In January 2023, it was revealed that Page was rated as the most handsome man in the world based on a concept that measures facial symmetry - his so-called "golden ratio" is 93.65 %, compared to 93.53% for Chris Hemsworth and 93.46% for Michael B.Jordan.

The actor's most recent role was in the movie version of Dungeons & Dragons.

So far, Page is still hesitant to become James Bond. "It's not something that completely takes over my mind," he said.

Henry Cavill: The most handsome Superman in history but also the unluckiest in Hollywood JLO15:46:20 25/01/2024Possessing a handsome face and sculpted body, Henry Cavill is considered the perfect version of Superman in real life. He was once voted the Sexiest Man in the World by Glamor magazine.