With No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s chapter as Agent 007 has come to an end. Now, the most important question that fans of the franchise want the answer to is — who will be stepping into the shoes next?
James Bond, as we all know is a fictional British property. But attempts have been made in the past when the creators wanted to experiment with an American actor.
On the other side of the Atlantic, we’ve got Tom Hanks who stated in an interview that he would be up for the role.
But, more than that, Hanks had an idea about who should suit up as the next Bond; considering the iconic character has a license to kill.
Tom Hanks Doesn’t Like How Americans Are Shown In James Bond Films
Speaking with Irish Examiner, Tom Hanks seemed to dislike how the franchise depicted their friends from America.
Hanks, however, knew that the creators may never approach him as his portrayal of the character may even cause riots in England.
“It would be great. It would cause riots. In England, they’re not gonna have some guy from America play James Bond.”
He added,
“There’s always some guy who is always standing on the submarine at the end of the movie while James Bond is making out with Halle Berry, saying, ‘James, you did it again.’”
What’s even more bizarre is when the first silver screen James Bond – Sean Connery refused to continue with the character, Western film veteran Clint Eastwood was contacted, but nothing ever came of it.
Tom Hanks Pitches His Idea On Who Should Be The Next 007
Actors like Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Tom Hardy have all been viewed as potential candidates since No Time to Die came out two years ago.
But, Tom Hanks in an interview with BBC News seemed to be getting a little too close to what fans have been speculating for so long.
Idris Elba, 50, was Hanks’ first choice when asked who should be the next Bond.
“Understand this,” he said, “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.”
Elba, however, on several occasions has dismissed the rumors of taking on the role. But, he told The Guardian in an interview once that he has been friends with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli despite all the rumors.
Tom Hanks will next be seen in Here, a Robert Zemeckis film set for a 2024 release.
Source: BBC News, Irish Examiner