The race to interchange Daniel Craig as the subsequent James Bond would possibly lastly be over, as Nocturnal Animals star Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been supplied the enduring position.
But, if Taylor-Johnson hasn’t signed his title on the dotted line, there’s nonetheless time for a queer actor to tackle the notorious 007 mantle.
Within the nearly six many years value of Bond films, a number of actors have performed the enduring character, together with Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. Nevertheless, Craig tops all of them because the longest-serving Bond actor in historical past, as he’s been within the position since his debut in 2006’s On line casino Royale.
However Craig has now drunk his final shaken-not-stirred martini as 007, following 2021’s No Time To Die. Craig mentioned in footage that went viral on social media that portraying Bond was “one of many biggest honours of my life”, and he “liked each single second of those films”.
Technically, there aren’t any hard-and-fast necessities when casting Craig’s successor. Nevertheless, the actors which have portrayed 007 have historically hailed from the UK or a commonwealth nation – George Lazenby is from Australia. They’ve all shared comparable attributes; they’ve all been white, male and straight. Aaron Taylor-Johnson ticks that field, too.
But the franchise has advanced over time, and there’s nothing is stopping the James Bond writers from pushing the boundaries and letting an LGBTQ+ individual take the wheel of the Aston Martin.
If Taylor-Johnson finally ends up turning the position down, listed below are a few of our favorite queer actors who can be excellent contenders.
Elliot Web page
Truthfully, want we are saying extra? Elliot Web page is a severe actor who has a variety of expertise to suit any style.
Plus, he’s confirmed that he can tackle motion roles after starring in Inception, gives pure chaos in The Umbrella Academy, and do you bear in mind him in that beautiful Met Gala go well with? He was oh-so swoon-inducing and positively Bond-worthy.
Andrew Scott
All of Us Strangers star Andrew Scott can be an attention-grabbing selection as a brilliant spy. The Irish actor achieved widespread recognition for his position as Jim Moriarity in BBC’s Sherlock, for which he received a BAFTA for Greatest Supporting Actor, however has since taken on quite a lot of roles, from Fleabag‘s resident “Scorching Priest”, to a savage scammer in upcoming Netflix drama, Ripley.
He might have already performed a rare Bond villain in Spectre, however he definitely has the vary to tackle 007, too. Simply saying.
Jonathan Bailey
Bridgerton babe Jonathan Bailey has oodles of attraction, baggage of charisma, and we’re fairly positive a closetful of sharp fits. Look how good this man appears to be like in a blazer and bow tie and inform us he’s not Bond-worthy?!
That’s with out even getting onto his spectacular performing résumé: he’s tackled darkish political thrillers (Fellow Vacationers, Jack Ryan), standout comedy collection (W1A, Chewing Gum, Crashing), and really British dramas (Broadchurch, Hooten & The Girl). Give him the job and see what he can do with it.
Ncuti Gatwa
Look, if there’s anybody certified sufficient to play a literal legend of British TV and movie, it’s somebody at the moment enjoying a literal legend of British TV and movie. Physician Who star Ncuti Gatwa mentioned it finest himself: enjoying the Physician is like enjoying James Bond, in that they’re each so culturally important that it takes lots to do the job proper.
And if there’s something Gatwa has confirmed thus far together with his Physician Who stint, it’s that he is aware of the way to do the job proper.
Richard Armitage
Idiot Me As soon as star Richard Armitage was some of the lately rumoured actors reportedly within the operating for the coated 007 position, though he mentioned that he’d reasonably play a villain than the spy himself.
But even when Armitage turned the position down this time, he’d positively be excellent as a future Bond. He is aware of the way to sort out a beloved franchise (he’s starred in The Hobbit and Ocean’s 8, bear in mind, and has develop into a mainstay in Harlan Coben diversifications), and has the steely stare of somebody who is aware of the way to take down a nasty man.
Colman Domingo
We all know, we all know: American actor Colman Domingo doesn’t have the British factor down, however one thing he definitely does have? The vary.
Following an Oscar-nominated position as homosexual civil rights activist Barnard Rustin in Rustin, and an Emmy-winning stint in brutal teen drama Euphoria, Domingo is in enormous demand. He’s bought a Michael Jackson biopic to work on, plus he’s nonetheless selling lesbian comedy movie Drive-Away Dolls. But if he’s bought time to squeeze in a job as Mr Bond, we all know he’d kill it.
Luke Evans
The Welsh actor has lengthy been a present fan-favourite for the position and positively checks all of the bins for the subsequent Bond actor. He’s from the UK, completely attractive in a go well with, and is able to taking up superior motion sequences.
He was even highlighted by James Bond star Ben Whishaw, who performs the technical mastermind Q within the collection, as a superb candidate for a homosexual 007. So he’s already bought the stamp of approval from somebody near the collection.
Billy Porter
If we’re going to speak about an actor with the vary to play bond, Billy Porter is a particular shoo-in.
Porter has constructed his substantial status on his impactful performances together with Pose’s Prey Inform and Behold Chablis in American Horror Story: Apocalypse.
Plus, there may very well be nothing extra magical than Porter bringing his signature fashion to the position and throwing away all of the drab formal put on that James Bond has historically worn. Simply take into consideration the probabilities!
Indya Moore
Whereas we’re speaking about Pose, Porter’s co-star Indya Moore would even be a implausible selection for a queer James Bond.
The trailblazing actor lately starred in Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom as longtime character Karson, who was initially a Inexperienced Lantern villain. So you already know that they may take that vitality enjoying a DC baddie and channel it into a shocking spy that breaks all the foundations.
Kristen Stewart
Stewart has all the pieces to tackle the Bond position. She is an exceptional expertise, appears to be like beautiful in a tailor-made go well with and isn’t any stranger to high-voltage stunt work.
Plus, she’s already been a brilliant spy. Bear in mind Charlie’s Angels?
Elizabeth Banks, who additionally starred within the movie, mentioned in a 2019 press name about Charlie’s Angels that Stewart was a “tremendous badass within the film” and “did so a lot of her personal stunts” together with battle coaching and stunt driving.
Matt Bomer
Whereas we’re speaking about individuals who look good in a go well with, can we overlook Matt Bomer? The actor dominated screens because the suave thief Neal in USA’s collection White Collar and was one-half a crime-solving duo.
Plus, he’s no stranger to enjoying severe roles having been featured in Fellow Vacationers, American Horror Story and Doom Patrol.
Tessa Thompson
Don’t misinform your self – Thompson can be excellent as James Bond. She’s come out with hit after hit showing in Heroes, Creed, Males in Black: Worldwide and Westworld.
The queer actor additionally portrays the queer superhero Valkyrie within the Thor franchise and throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So she’s the proper individual to avoid wasting any swooning damsel in misery or storm a villain’s secret lair with or with out the help of a winged horse.
Seyan Sarvan
Sarvan isn’t any stranger to stealing the present from her male co-stars. The actor shocked viewers as Lizbeth Farooqi – a Muslim, queer, feminine lawyer – in It’s a Sin.
Her character took a no-nonsense strategy within the present and refused to face all the way down to those that refused to take heed to purpose. And that’s the type of vitality that will make Sarvan a powerhouse 007.