Tom Hiddleston In ‘Advanced Talks’ To Be Next James Bond
Tom Hiddleston is reportedly in “advanced talks” to take over the role of James Bond, after Daniel Craig has reportedly turned down a lucrative deal for one more Bond film.
Earlier this week, Jamie Bell was rumored to be in talks with Barbara Broccoli and other James Bond producers, sparking speculation that the 30-year-old British actor could be the next in line for the coveted role of 007. Today however, Birth Movies Death has reported with a fair degree of certainty that Tom Hiddleston is in “advanced talks” with James Bond producers about taking over the iconic role.
Tom Hiddleston hasn’t been shy about his desire for the role, stating that he’s a “huge fan” of James Bond, and would love to be given the chance to take on the role.
No word from Sony yet, but reports say Tom Hiddleston is in official talks to be the next James Bond https://t.co/KjIllSMZ7o
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) May 27, 2016
“I simply love the theme tune, the tropes and the mythology. I love the whole thing. If it ever came knocking, it would be an extraordinary opportunity. And I’m very aware of the physicality of the job. I would not take it lightly,” said actor Tom Hiddleston, speaking with the Sunday Times.
Hiddleston made waves recently with his appearance in The Night Manager, a BBC/AMC adaptation of the John Le Carre spy thriller of the same name. In The Night Manager, Hiddleston plays Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier who takes on a dangerous undercover mission to infiltrate the world of international arms dealers. The six-part miniseries shares much of the same DNA as a typical Bond film: exotic locales, a glamorous depiction of espionage, and of course dangerous romantic entanglements. Some critics have characterized Hiddleston’s turn in The Night Manager as an informal audition for James Bond, since suave and dangerous Jonathan Pine has an awful lot in common with 007.
“Choosing words carefully, our source confirms that while talks have indeed taken place, and that Hiddleston very much wants the job, no official offer has been made – yet,” writes Phil Nobile Jr. for Birth Movies Death.
Whether or not Tom Hiddleston will play James Bond has yet to be decided, according to Birth Movies Death. Hiddleston is in talks to take over the role, but no official offer has yet been made. Still, SlashFilm breaks down the rumor mill and suggests that Hiddleston’s negotiations to take over the role could be a ploy to get Daniel Craig back on board for a final Bond film.
The Night Manager doesn't prove Tom Hiddleston should be Bond. It proves the opposite: https://t.co/ahvB24skZI pic.twitter.com/VmwgX8Edqf
— Slate (@Slate) May 27, 2016
As enthusiastic and vocal as Tom Hiddleston has been about taking over the role, Daniel Craig has been every bit as vocal regarding his own dissatisfaction with the James Bond film series – specifically, how miserable filming another Bond film would make him. Craig previously stated he would “rather slash his wrists” than play Bond again, and reportedly turned down $100 million to make one final Bond film.
Craig is attached to numerous other projects at the moment, making it unlikely that he would return to the role any time soon. Bond films are notorious for the time commitments they require of their cast and crew.
Still, SlashFilm and other outlets are optimistic about the news, suggesting that the new Bond films could take a very different tone than recent films. Tom Hiddleston could be the Roger Moore to Daniel Craig’s Sean Connery so to speak, bringing a certain swagger and charm back to the character.
It’s entirely possible, though unlikely, that Bond producers could just abandon the actors they’ve reportedly spoken to (Jamie Bell, and Tom Hiddleston) in favor of more avant-garde choices like Gillian Anderson or Idris Elba. Either one would be a striking or fascinating choice, and either one could inject some much-needed excitement into the storied film franchise.
[Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images]
