Next James Bond: Aaron Taylor-Johnson knocked off top spot by star who's just entered race

Gregg Goldstein When you think of Rupert Friend, chances are you remember his five seasons as CIA operative Peter Quinn on “Homeland” or his turn as the Grand Inquisitor on “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” But recently he’s become the latest member of Wes Anderson’s acting troupe, following up his role in 2021’s “The French Dispatch” with the Cannes Palme d’Or contender “Asteroid City” and the Roald Dahl anthology “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” now in post-production at Netflix. Variety spoke with the U.K.-born actor about his eclectic career, his upcoming feature writing/directing debut and why he had a “revelation” that he should be the next James Bond. What’s your role in “Asteroid City,” and what can we expect from the film?

Rachel Weisz may be proud of her husband, Daniel Craig, for his 15-year tenure as James Bond for five installments of the action franchise, but she is not afraid to admit that she is pleased his time as the savvy British spy is over. The actor began his time as Bond when he took over Pierce Brosnan in time for 2006's Casino Royale.

Bugzy Malone may be known primarily for his music, but he is currently making waves in the film industry too. The 32-year-old played Ernie in The Gentlemen, and more recently he’s back again in another Guy Ritchie film – Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. He stars alongside Hollywood legends Hugh Grant, Aubrey Plaza, and Jason Statham.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, but its eyes are firmly on the road ahead, not the rear-view mirror. On May 24, at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, in Antibes, France, near Cannes, the company unveils the first of its next generation of sports cars (see teaser image, here) and the following evening the new model will go to the highest bidder at the AmfAR Charity Gala at the hotel. Then, on May 28, a short dash along the Riviera, the brand’s Formula 1 team races at the Monaco Grand Prix. Commenting on the choice of the Cannes Film Festival as the venue to launch the new model, Aston Martin’s global chief brand and commercial officer, Marco Mattiacci, says: “The movie business is where we belong.”

Tom Hanks has named the actor that he would most like to star as the next James Bond.A search for a new 007 is underway, with countless actors rumoured as being the next in line to play the iconic British spy.Now, Forrest Gump actor Hanks has shared who he thinks should replace Daniel Craig in the film franchise, and named Idris Elba as the actor most suited for the part.“Understand this,” he said during an interview with the BBC last week (May 9). “James Bond has a licence to kill.

fan-favorite frontrunner Idris Elba is the next British man in a suave suit to embody the super spy.“Understand this,” Hanks told the BBC recently. “James Bond has a license to kill. I would issue that license to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.” While Elba’s much-desired turn as Bond has earned the love and support of both fans and the spy franchise’s longtime producer, Barbara Broccoli, he’s not so sure he wants to play the role.“It is not a goal for my career,” Elba told “The Shop” podcast last September.

A list of actors rumored to be in the running to star in James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s Superman: Legacy is beginning to emerge.

Daniel Craig brought his James Bond journey to an end in 2021 after the release of his fifth and final movie, No Time To Die. His 15-year tenure as 007 has made him the longest-serving actor to play the hero, but now the anticipation around who will replace him is palpable. Fans are dying to know who is going to take his place, and they'll likely not find out for at least a year, at this point.

Jennifer Lopez is opening up about her newest action thriller, The Mother.

Tom Hanks is busy promoting his new novel, “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” which is inspired by his career in front of the camera.

Tom Hanks is backing Idris Elba to be the next James Bond. The 66-year-old actor is unequivocal in his verdict that the 'Luther' star should be granted 007's "licence to kill" and succeed Daniel Craig as the legendary spy. Hanks told the BBC: "Understand this.

Naman Ramachandran Tom Hanks is all for Idris Elba to play the next James Bond. “Understand this, James Bond has a licence to kill. I would issue that licence to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do,” Hanks told BBC News. Hanks was speaking to BBC News to promote his first novel “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” about the making of a big-budget Hollywood superhero movie, spanning 80 years of a changing America and featuring characters including a troubled soldier returning from war, a young boy with an artistic gift, an inspired and eccentric director, a pompous film star on the rise, a tireless production assistant and film crew members.

Tom Hanks has weighed in on the hunt for the next 007, telling BBC News that Idris Elba is the man for the job. “Understand this,” he told the outlet, “James Bond has a licence to kill. I would issue that licence to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.”

James Bond author Charlie Higson has said that any actors rumoured to be taking on the role of 007 on the big screen have already been rejected.Higson has written several Young Bond novels and was recently commissioned by the Ian Fleming Publication to pen new Bond novel, On His Majesty’s Secret Service.In a new interview with PA, Higson was asked if he knew who would be replacing Daniel Craig as Bond on the big screen following the actor’s departure in 2021’s No Time To Die.“As soon as the papers say, ‘So and so is being considered as the next James Bond’, you know that they’re not going to be the next James Bond, you know that they’ve been rejected,” he said.“[The studio] play their cards very close to the chest. A lot of times they really surprise people.

May the Fourth be with you, “Star Wars” fans. And with three upcoming films announced at last months Star Wars Celebration, the “Star Wars” universe has plenty to be excited about on the holiday this year.

Richard Madden has long been among the short list of actors rumoured to be in the running to take over the role of James Bond now that Daniel Craig has left the franchise.

James Bond fans are 'stirring' after some have suggested the upcoming 'shake' up of the franchise could see Richard Madden don the famous white tuxedo. The actor, 36, is best known for his role as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and has been among the favourites in the race to be the next 007 ever since Daniel Craig called time on his stint as the British secret agent.

While mystery still surrounds the identity of the next James Bond – or exactly how producers will get round the necessary change of narrative required after 007’s last outing – fans are now convinced they have uncovered which actor will be scooping up the licence to kill. 

Richard Madden has the Internet talking!

“Succession” star plays the “tormenter” once again in a new reality competition series inspired by James Bond, titled “007’s Road to a Million,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.“I got to see how ordinary people would cope with being on a James Bond adventure,” Cox, 76, said about his new role, according to the outlet. Cox will host as “The Controller” – AKA the emcee – and the one who decides the future of contestants on the new Amazon Studios game show.The series features two-person teams competing to win $1.2 million, shot in locations that are relevant to James Bond, such as the Scottish Highlands, Jamaica and Venice, Italy.