Josh O’Connor is reportedly in the running to play James Bond (Picture: AP / REX)
In a shocking development for 007 fans, actor Josh O’Connor has been tipped as a possible candidate to play James Bond.
It’s a move that has rocked bookies predictions, but given that the 34-year-old British actor has had a stunning year, it makes sense that he’s being considered to play the iconic secret agent.
O’Connor’s star power was heightened this year thanks to acclaim for his role in the Golden Globe-nominated film Challengers which he starred in opposite Zendaya and Mike Faist.
He’s also known for his deeply empathetic portrayal of a young King Charles on The Crown, earning him further recognition.
If O’Connor was cast as Bond, he’d be taking the reigns from Daniel Craig who played the role in five films between 2006 and 2021.
Ever since Craig’s final turn as 007 in No Time To Die, a string of names have been linked with the role to take over – with Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James all coming up regularly in the discourse.
O’Connor is also known for his role in Challengers (Picture: Aliah Anderson/WireImage)
Speculation has been rife around the closely guarded plans for the return of Bond, from who will direct the film to who will sing the theme song.
While they haven’t teased any names, producers Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael G. Wilson did recently go into depth about what they’re lookig for in the actor who will take over the role.
‘It’s a big decision,’ Broccoli told Associated Press.
O’Connor portrayed King Charles across from Emma Corrin’s princess Diana (Picture: AP)
She confirmed that the next Bond will ‘be a man’ and added: ‘He’ll likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given.’
The fact that the next Bond will be on the younger end is a revelation particularly because it rules out some popular candidates like Idris Elba, 52, and possibly Henry Cavill, 41.
The big question is who is willing to sign up for at least a decade’s worth of films, following Daniel’s 16-year tenure.
Playing the part of James Bond also opens an actor up to extraordinary levels of fame and scrutiny, as well as criticism from fans who love the franchise.
Daniel Craig last played Bond in 2021 (Picture: Col Pics/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Barbara commented that even Daniel Craig had to put up with ‘anti-Daniel nonsense’ when he was first announced.
‘Every time we cast a new actor, the films change. It’s the excitement of a new Bond, a new direction,’ Michael added. ‘Every one of these people who took on the role offered something new and different.’
Daniel finished his run as 007 in 2021 and despite early indications of a quick handover, fans are still in limbo over the future of Bond.
In June 2022, Barbara told Deadline: ‘There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond.
‘We’re reinventing who he is, and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.’
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