The shocking announcement that Amazon now holds complete creative control over the James Bond franchise, with long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping aside, has left everyone asking one question: who will be the next 007?
Amazon's Jeff Bezos posed this very question to his followers on X (formerly Twitter), and the response was overwhelmingly clear.
While some are advocating for contenders like Venom's Tom Hardy, the MCU's Idris Elba, Professor X actor James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender (Magneto), or the previously rumored front-runner Aaron Taylor-Johnson from Kraven, the undeniable fan favorite is Henry Cavill.
Soon after Bezos's tweet, Henry Cavill was trending online, fueled by a massive wave of James Bond fans championing the Superman and Witcher star as Daniel Craig's successor.
Many now speculate whether Cavill's chances have improved with Amazon at the helm. The actor is already set to star in and produce Amazon's highly anticipated Warhammer 40,000 adaptation. Could a deal to play Bond be next?
Cavill is no stranger to the role, having famously auditioned for 2006's Casino Royale (a tape of which is available online). Director Martin Campbell praised the audition as "tremendous," but the then 23-year-old Cavill lost the part to Daniel Craig for being considered too young.
In a 2023 interview with The Express, Campbell reflected, "He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. Honestly, if Daniel hadn't been an option, Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, was in fantastic shape... very handsome, very chiseled. He just seemed a bit young at the time."
"From what I understand, it ultimately came down to me and Daniel, and I was the younger candidate," Cavill explained in an interview with Josh Horowitz.
"They chose Daniel, and I believe it was an excellent choice. I probably wasn't ready back then, and Daniel did an incredible job across his films, so I'm glad they made that decision."
The search for a new 007 began as soon as Daniel Craig concluded his run with No Time to Die. But is Cavill a viable candidate now? Campbell added, "By the time Daniel reached [No Time To Die], he was at an age where one more film might have been too demanding."
"I believe actors typically sign on for three Bond films, though I'm not entirely certain. I know Pierce Brosnan did for his first film. That commitment spans roughly six years. I suspect Daniel had a similar deal, and the next actor will too.
"Henry is 40, so by the time he finished a third film, he'd be around 50. Each film takes about two to three years. Henry is in great shape, a good guy. His audition was strong, but the irony is he was simply too young back then."
