Paul Mescal Is "the One" to Take on James Bond, According to Ana de Armas

One of the most talked-about actors to take over as James Bond is Idris Elba. Fans have been hoping for Elba to step into 007's shoes for years, and the time might finally be near. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson told Deadline in January that Elba is part of the conversation in terms of casting. Broccoli said, "We know Idris ... he's a magnificent actor."

Elba's not sure it's going to happen, though. He told CBS Mornings in April, "You know, it's one of those rumours that I'm proud to be considered, you know, a contender for Bond, of course. There's like, it's an incredible compliment to me. But as a career choice, it's not one that I've pursued. I've never really pursued this rumour, you know. Listen, if it was offered to me, I would heavily consider it. But I don't think it will be. It's not in the cards."

Elba, at 50, is definitely at the older end of the Bond ideal age window, but the oldest Bond ever, David Niven, was already 57 upon his casting. Additionally, although Elba has a very successful movie career, his most iconic franchise-leading role as Luther Morgan is on television. Considering how popular Elba is with fans, we can't knock him out of first place for consideration.

There's been a lot of chatter about "Bridgerton" star Rege-Jean Page taking over the 007 role. Page talked to Jimmy Fallon about the rumours in January 2021, saying it's like a "merit badge" to have his name as part of the conversation. "I think there might be an element of cultural translation to be done here," he said. "Like if you're a Brit, and you do something of any kind of renowned that people regard well, then people start saying the 'B' word," implying the Bond name. As happy as he was to be considered worthy of the role among fans, he expressed that it was mostly just internet rumours. However, that could just be him playing coy. The 34-year-old actor fits the Bond casting age bracket, and though he's had roles in major films following his television breakout on "Bridgerton," they've been mostly supporting or ensemble roles. All this considered, Page is definitely close to the top of the list of contenders.

Tom Hardy's name has been floated as the next Bond, and he's holding his own in some of the betting odds. Ladbrokes's odds, according to The Express, showed a renewed interest in Hardy in May 2022. However, the 45-year-old actor has a pretty extensive, successful movie career, which includes leading roles in franchises such as "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Venom," so the likelihood of him taking on Bond feels unlikely.

Sam Heughan actually went out for the role of James Bond when Craig got the gig. He said on "Just the Facts With Alex Zane" in June 2021, "I have been up for Bond. I went up for it when they did 'Bond 21' ['Casino Royale']. It was an amazing experience, and I was completely out of my depth. But I think now I feel the right age for it. I feel capable enough to do it. I'd love the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring." At 42 years old, Heughan certainly meets the age requirements. And while he's loved far and wide for his role as Jamie in the hit show "Outlander," he hasn't had any major breakout movie star moments, so he's a frontrunner. but the oldest Bond ever casted, David Niven, was already 57 upon his casting, so Heighen isn't totally out of the running.

In a Wired interview with "Ghosted" costars Ana de Armas and Chris Evans, the pair are asked: "Do you have someone who you'd want to be the next Bond?" De Armas, who played Paloma in the 2021 film in the franchise "No Time to Die", responded, "I think Paul Mescal should be the one." And she has more experience than most to comment on the Bond potentials.

While it's a nice idea, Mescal is only in his twenties so it's unlikely he'll be the chosen one. But with an array of hit TV shows and movies under his belt, it's only a matter of time before he is cast in a blockbuster role.

Marvel's Chris Evans had his own idea in the same Wired interview, and it was to back his former costar Aaron Taylor-Johnson, whom appeared alongside him in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and Avengers: Age of Ultron" as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver. He said: "I'm a big Aaron Taylor-Johnson guy." With Taylor-Johnson's stellar performance in the action-comedy "Bullet Train", we don't doubt that he would have what it takes. At 32, he just about fits the unofficial age requirements so he could be in the running.