Luke Evans Would Love to Play James Bond After Daniel Craig

Luke Evans would love to play James Bond when Daniel Craig leaves the franchise after No Time to Die. Sean Connery famously was the first person to play Ian Fleming’s secret agent 007 on the big screen, and is still many people’s favorite Bond. George Lazenby then played Bond for one movie before Connery returned. The next Bond was Roger Moore, who carried the torch until Timothy Dalton took over.

The ‘80s tenure of Dalton would prove to be short-lived of course, lasting only two movies. By that time the Bond franchise seemed to be on its last legs, but Pierce Brosnan’s arrival helped rejuvenate the series at the box office. More success would come when Craig became Bond starting with Casino Royale. Craig has played Bond in three more movies since his auspicious debut, and will portray the character one last time in the upcoming No Time to Die. Craig is then expected to hand off the role to another lucky actor.

It’s not yet known who will succeed Craig in the coveted role of 007 but when the decision is finally made, Dracula Untold actor Evans would like his name to be in the mix. Speaking to The Mirror, Evans said:

    “I think I’ve cut my teeth very well in movies I’ve done and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. It’s a phenomenal job, a phenomenal franchise, an incredible role. I have to say though, it’s a daunting task for any actor to play the role after Daniel Craig. No one knows what’s happening. It’s a very secretive process and it’s a wonderful role. I would jump at the chance, as would many actors in my position, so we shall see. It will be an exciting casting moment for the Bond production and I wish whoever gets it the best of luck.”

Were Evans to win the role of Bond he would be the second Welshman after Dalton to play the famed fictional British spy. At this point however Evans looks like a very long-shot to win the role. According to oddsmakers the best bets to succeed Bond right now are Tom Hardy and James Norton, followed by Bridgerton sensation Rege-Jean Page, perennial favorite Idris Elba, Sam Heughan, Henry Cavill, Cillian Murphy and Richard Madden. Some have also suggested a woman should play 007 going forward but producer Barbara Broccoli has stated rather bluntly that Bond will never be played by a female actor.

As of this moment Evans would be a bit of a strange pick to play Bond as he’s not a very hot name and hasn’t been mentioned much in connection with the part. However, as Evans points out the process of choosing Bond is a bit mysterious so who knows what the thinking is internally. There have certainly been some out-of-leftfield choices for Bond in the past, the biggest being Lazenby, a model with little acting experience at the time he was hired. Evans does have a similar rough-hewn quality to Craig, which could be an advantage if producers want to carry on with a Craig-like Bond. But if James Bond producers want to go in a very different direction, they would likely not choose Evans. Of course, No Time to Die hasn’t even arrived yet, so Craig’s tenure isn’t even officially over.