BLIND GOSSIP

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Cast This Leading Man

EXCLUSIVE!

SOLVED!

UPDATED!

[Blind Gossip] Producers are narrowing down their choices for the lead in this iconic franchise!

While dozens of different actors have been thrown into the rumor mix, we hear that there are really only about half a dozen top contenders… but they all have their challenges. According to an insider, here is what the producers are thinking about each actor.

[1] would be a nice familiar choice, but they are annoyed about his $$$ demands and are now leaning towards bringing in someone younger to play the role for the next three to four installments.

[2] has the height and the British accent, but rather ruined his image as a cool sexy playboy when he dated [that pop star].

[3] has the height, is handsome, and can pull off the action sequences, but they find his version of a British accent off-putting.

[4] is under 40, has a perfect accent and could pull off the part, but lacks a certain cool confidence and is just too damn short.

[5] has a great voice, but while they would seriously consider a man of color, they want someone for the franchise for years to come and he is a bit long in the tooth.

[6] is an real up-and-comer but not as well-know as all the other choices. They really like him but are unsure if audiences will warm to someone for whom this would be a breakout role.

[7] is already very hot in the market, but they see him as more adorable than handsome, and just too damn American.

So the producers seem to be considering affordability, age, height, good looks, cool confidence, popularity, and a good British accent as their most important criteria.

That’s a lot to require in one package!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

[Optional] Who would you like to see in this role?

SOLVED!

Daniel Craig said, “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists” than play James Bond again.

Apparently, he’s changed his mind!

In the end, the almighty dollar has convinced Daniel Craig to return to the role.

Given that Skyfall grossed $1.1 billion at the international box office, betting on Daniel Craig to reprise the iconic role is a sure thing for producers.

The casting of James Bond for the next installment of the franchise created a lot of speculation for more than two years.

Here are the answers to our blind item:

1. Daniel Craig. The Winner! Now 49, but will commit to at least one more James Bond film. His package for one film is rumored to be upwards of $50 million. Wow.

2. Tom Hiddleston. Dating Taylor Swift did not help him seem suave or cool.

3. Sam Heughan. Scottish, best known for Outlander. He actually had a British dialect coach for a TV movie, but somehow wound up sounding Scottish anyway.

4. Jamie Bell. At 5’7”, he was too short. Also, Billy Elliott just lacked that cool guy factor.

5. Idris Elba. At 44, would have been getting a late start on an action franchise role.

6. Jack Huston. English, handsome, 32, best known for Boardwalk Empire. Not yet a household name.

7. Ryan Gosling. You may be surprised to learn that they were seriously considering him for a while. Hey, Girl!

Keep in mind that this was not meant to be an all-inclusive list. LOTS of actors were considered along the way, including Damian Lewis (Homeland), Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Luke Evans (Beauty and The Beast), Michael Fassbender (X-Men), Tom Hardy (Legend), Aiden Turner (Poldark), James McAvoy (X-Men), and James Norton (Happy Valley).


While none of you got all of them correct, many of you had quite a few of them. Good job on the guessing, everyone!

By the way, Adele may be back to do the theme song for the next installment of James Bond!

You know what Ryan Gosling has to say about that?

UPDATE!

Daniel Craig has finally confirmed that he is returning as James Bond!

Tuesday morning, during a radio interview, he said that nothing had been confirmed. A couple of hours later, during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he did confirm.

Yes. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been quite cagey about it. I’ve been doing interviews about it all day and people have been asking me and I’ve been kind of coy but I kind of felt like, if I was going to speak the truth, I should speak the truth to you.

LOL. It’s more likely that his publicists wanted him to announce to a bigger talk show audience than a small radio station audience.

Craig says that the next Bond movie will be his last.

Should you believe him?

No.

He said that last time, too. More specifically, he said, “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists” than play James Bond again.

Yet, when large piles of money appeared, the 49-year-old actor magically changed his mind!

Watch for the wild rumors about how much he is being paid. We’ve heard everything from $50 million to $150 million.

One extra piece of gossip about James Bond: As Blind Gossip originally told you on March 1, 2017, actor Tom Hiddleston WAS the producer’s second choice behind Daniel Craig!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. James Bond, I guess. Only ones I can guess are:

    1. Daniel Craig

    5. Idris Elba

  3. That’s a lot to require in one package!

    1. daniel craig

    2.Tom Hiddleston.

    3.

    4.Michael Fassbender.

    5.Idris Elba.

    6.

    7.

    [Optional] Who would you like to see in this role?

  4. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Chris Hemsworth
    4. Andrew Garfield
    5. Idris Alba
    6. Eddie Redmayne
    7. Chris Evans

    • We’re considering Eddie Redmayne as an up-and-comer? He has an Oscar and Beasts was huge..

    • I thought the same thing. Maybe he doesn’t have the name recognition of like Leonardo DiCaprio (no I don’t think Leo is one of the 7 LOL) but he’s definitely not an “up and comer” seeing as he has an Oscar and was the star of the new Harry Potter movie which is a huge franchaise that’s expected to have 4 films MINIMUM… would he have time to be 007 while in the HP franchise too? Doubt it. Plus I’m sure it’s in his contract he can’t do other franchises. Stoli I think you got it besides…

    • Nope.

      6] is an real up-and-comer but not as well-know as all the other choices. They really like him but are unsure if audiences will warm to someone for whom this would be a breakout role.

      Eddie Redmayne already has an Oscar, so no way this would be a “breakout role” for him.

  5. 1. Daniel Craig, whose contract as Bond is up

    2. Tom Hiddleston (dated T Swift)

    3. Ewan McGregor (Scottish)

    4. Tom Hardy

    5. Idris Elba

    6. don’t know

    7. Damian Lewis (starred in Homeland and Band of Brothers)

    [Optional] Who would you like to see in this role?

    • Oh, I like this list.

      Damian Lewis is of course British, but people are used to him playing American, so that makes sense. I was baffled as to why they’d even consider an American, so now I get it.

      Tom Hardy COMPLETELY slipped my mind, but you are absolutely right. Perfect but not tall.

      Ewan MacGregor, I think could pull it off. The accent comment threw me off.

  6. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Henry Cavill
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Aidan Turner
    7. Ryan Gosling

  7. 1. Michael Fassbender
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3.
    4.
    5. Idris Elba (please let him be picked!)
    6.
    7.

    Not sure of the others….

    Luke Evans, 37,

    • I don’t think they will pick Idris simply on age. They want someone younger to commit to say 3-4 movies but otherwise he would be a modern interesting choice. Plus he is an amazing actor with real presence and a great voice!

  8. Gotta be James Bond, but the only one I can pick is Tom Hiddleson who ruined everything with his I heart TS-ing. Good blind.

  9. Role has to be Bond, James Bond.
    1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3.
    4. Daniel Radcliffe
    5. Idris Elba
    6.
    7. Chris Pratt

    I vote for Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom)! Tall, handsome, British, pulled off a few action sequences in HP & the Deathly Hallows 1 & 2

  10. I would like to see Josh Charles as James Bond. He’s so polished and refined looking.

  11. Only know the three obvious ones, Craig, Hiddleston and Elba. It needs to be someone British, preferably Celtic, like the gorgeous Mr Aidan Turner, now that would please a lot the ladies (me included ) He did Agatha Christies, And then there were none , and they said it was like he was sending in his ‘audition’ for Bond, he did look the part though.

    • I’ve been a lurker forever but literally HAD to make a profile because I nearly choked.

      Irish=/= British

      Not for the last century, touchy subject

    • @ jeanc says, I’m am actually Irish myself , but we do live in the British isles and Aidan when he speaks with an english accent has a truly beautiful voice, Pierce Brosnan is Irish , and Sean Connery Scottish, Timothy Dalton welsh all from the British isles, all Celtic and Actually British, therefore I think you nearly choked for no good reason. Sláinte.

    • Go on away with that British Isle malarkey, you referred to him as a Brit. He is no more British. You should have your passport revoked for such ridiculous convoluted jibberish. I don’t believe for one second that an Irish person would argue their Britishness. The man is not British full stop, don’t try bringing an outdated GEOGRAPHICAL term into an a dead argument ? Michael Collins is ROLLING. Go neiraí an bóthar leat

  12. 1 daniel craig
    2 tom hiddleston
    3 chris or liam hemsworth
    4 kim harington
    5 idris elba
    6 dan stevens or aaron taylor-johnson
    7 andrew garfield (this is wrong but all I can think of)

    I know TH messed up publicly but after watching The Night Manager, on-screen he could pull the whole James Bond thing off. So could Dan Stevens. Idris Elba would be an awesome choice.

  13. 1] Daniel Craig for one more round

    [2] Tom Hiddleston

    [3] Ewan McGregor?? He wouldn’t be the first Scot!

    [4] Daniel Radcliffe

    [5] Idris Elba (my choice! But didn’t they horribly refer to him as “too street?” Ugh)

    [6] …hmm.

    [7] Chris Evans?

    IDRIS FOR BOND 2018!

    • #4 could be James McAvoy, too, but if I’m right about the “wrong accent” (why on earth?!?) then he’d be out on two counts.

      Still trying to think of the up and comer for #6. Young, tall, handsome, British, but not an established lead? I’m coming up blank…

  14. James Bond

    1. Daniel Craig

    2. Tom Hiddleston

    3. Tom Hardy

    4. Martin Freeman

    5. Idris Elba

    6. ?

    7. Benedict Cumberbatch

  16. 1. Michael Fassbender
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Henry Cavill? Although I’m not sure what’s outputting about his accent.
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. James Norton
    7. Ryan Gosling

    Optional: Michael Fassbender! Or really, anyone but Ryan Gosling.

  18. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Jamie Dornan
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. James Norton
    7. John Krasinski

    My picks: Idris Elba or James Norton. (Definitely not Tom Hiddleston!)

  19. James Bond

    1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Tom Hardy
    4. Michael Fassbender
    5. Idris Elba
    6. ?
    7. ?

    Tom Hardy is the best choice

  20. James Bond?
    Mostly guesses here but….
    1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Benedict Cumberbatch (personal fave ?)
    4. Daniel Radcliffe
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Nicholas Hoult
    7. Ryan Gosling

    • Ohhh Nick Hoult, now he would make a good Bond
      Also bet Jen races back to him if he lands this role

  21. 1. Daniel Craig

    2. Tom Hiddleston

    3. Sam Heughan

    4. Eddie Redmayne

    5. Idris Elba

    6. Aidan Turner

    7. Damien Lewis

    What do I win!!??

  22. James bond
    1) Daniel Craig ( frankly, he looked long in the tooth in the first film)
    2)Orlando Bloom ( pop star being Katy Perry)
    3)Tom Hiddleston ( has the height at 188 cm.)
    4) Tom Hardy ( 175 cm isn’t that short but for Bond, it is)
    5)Idris Elba ( black don’t crack, so he would at least have three films in him before they need to recast)
    6) Charlie Hunnam ( yep, , Sons of Anarchy and Queer as folk didn’t make him a household name).
    7) Ryan Gosling ( he’s not too American he’s too…

  24. Casting for the next 007, my guesses:

    1. Tom Hardy
    2. Tom Huddleston
    3. Ryan Gosling
    4. Michael Fassbender
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Aidan Turner
    7. Jamie Bell

  25. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Armie Hammer? Liam Hemsworth? Michael Fassbender?
    4. James McAvoy?
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Aidan Turner? Not as well-known to Americans as the others.
    7. Not sure. Leo?

  26. This is Bond

    1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Tom Hardy?
    4. Jamie Bell?
    5. Idris Elba?
    6. Aidan Turner
    7. ???

    Aidan Turner should get it.

    • I have been rooting for Jamie Bell to get it since watching him in Turn. Pity that they think he’s too short. :-/

  27. 1.)Michael Fassbender?
    2.)Tom Hiddleston
    3.)Henry Cavill?
    4.)James McAvoy?
    5.)Idris Elba
    6.)Nicholas Hoult?
    7.)Gosling?

    Tom Hardy would be perfect, if he would take the role. I thought he was in contention for the role, but none of the blinds fit.

  28. 1. Daniel Craig as ‘familiar’ choice
    2. Tom Hiddleston – Has height / accent but put off by Swift relationship
    3. Michael Fassbender – they find his English accent off-putting.
    4. Jamie Bell – too damn short (5’7)
    5. Idris Elba – man of color they would choose, but might be too old
    6. Luke Evans – 37, up and comer
    7. Chris Pratt – hot on market, adorable, “too American”

    I think it will be either Michael Fassbender or Tom Hiddleston.

  29. 1. Daniel Craig – current James Bond

    2. Tom Hiddleston – would be a perfect replacement based on seeing him in The Night Manager

  30. Bond movies

    1. Daniel Craig?
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Hmm not sure…
    4. No idea
    5. Ideas Elba
    6. Don’t know…
    7. No idea but Bond can’t be American!

  31. clearly James Bond…

    1. Tom Hardy
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Aiden Turner (naturally has an Irish accent)
    4. Jamie Bell
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Luke Evans
    7. Charlie Hunham

  32. James Bond, right?
    2. is Tom Hiddleston, but I call B.S. I can’t believe he would ever be considered for James Bond, he is too skinny and goofy, with or without Taylor Swift germs.

    5. is Idris Elba. I also doubt he was ever seriously considered, the internet kind of made that up. But he would be great– is he really too old already?

    7. Could be Ryan Gosling

    • Elba’s not too old to be Bond once or twice (he’s four years younger than Daniel Craig is now), but I can see that he might be too old to start the role now and still be in it for a decade (he is several years older than Daniel Craig was when he was first cast as Bond.)

  33. 1. Michael Fassbender
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Henry Cavill
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. James Evans
    7. Damien Lewis

  34. 1. Michael Fassbender (too expensive)
    2. Tom Hiddleston (“dated” Tay-tay)
    3. Jamie Dornan or Aidan Turner (Irish accent)
    4. Kit Harrington or Richard Madden (RM could do RP–both are too short)
    5. Idris Elba (POC but “old”)
    6. James Norton (Unknown to most)
    7. Aidan Turner or Jamie Dornan or Henry Cavill (more famous in America)

    • I would add Tom Hardy but he’s got 2 strikes against him: can’t do RP accent and too short.

      ***I still want Daniel Craig as James Bond!!!

  35. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Sam Heughan
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Aiden Turner
    7. Stumped

    I would have said Hiddleston was perfect after seeing the night manager, but everytime I see him interviewed, he is such a D*CK. Then there is the whole swiftie fiasco….nail in coffin

  36. James Bond Francise

    1. Daniel Craig-Keep him

    2. Tom Hiddleston-Tay Tay Swift

    3.

    4.

    5. Idris Elba- So NOT long in the tooth

    6.

    7.

    [Optional] Who would you like to see in this role?

  37. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Jake Gyllenhaal
    or Bradley Cooper
    4.
    5. Idris Elba (being born in ’72 is considered as long in the tooth?? Yikes and Zounds!)
    6.
    7.
    I’d love to see Tom Cruise in the role, fumbling and fuming and looking
    completely un-Bondish. Would make a GREAT Mel Brooks comedy!

  38. James Bond 007

    #1 Daniel Craig – the tried and true blue eyed, aging stunner.

    #2 Tom Hiddleston – proved he can definitely act…A Taylor Swift romance? LOL.

    #4 Dominic Cooper? Such a hottie.

    #5 Idris Alba – handsome as he!!, but getting too old for recurrences.

  39. Daniel Craig
    Tom Hiddleston
    Luke Evans or Michael Fassbender
    Jamie Bell
    Idris Elba
    James Norton
    7 ?

  40. I assume this is the Bond franchise?
    1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston. That’s true. TS ruined my opinion of him.
    3. Tom Hardy
    4. James McAvoy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. Aaron Taylor-Johnson
    7. Andrew Garfield

    Of those choices, I like Idris Elba. I’d like Jude Law, too, balding and old or not!

  41. 1. Jude Law
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3.Benedict Cumberbatch
    4.Daniel Radcliffe
    5. Idris Alba
    6.Jack O’Connell
    7.Miles Teller.

  42. 1.

    2. Tom Hiddleston

    3.

    4.

    5. Idris Elba

    6.

    7.

    No idea about the others, but I would love to see Idris Elba in this role. He would be perfect–I don’t care how old he is!

  43. I am certain #2 is Orlando Bloom, and I bet #5 is Idris Elba but the rest I am not certain about.

    I am dying to see to see the long time posters guesses on this one for the James Bond franchise replacement of Daniel Craig!

    Love the site!! ^_^

  44. 1. Daniel Craig
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Henry Cavill
    4. Tom Hardy
    5. Idris Elba
    6. James Norton
    7. Andrew Garfield

  45. 1. Daniel craig
    2. Tom hiddleston
    3. Bradley cooper?
    4.cumberbatch?
    5. Ibra
    6. Mahazraha ali maybe?
    7. Chris Pratt?

    Still like ibra wd like a person of color. I think ali from moonlight wd be good. Hiddleston may be good too. Excited to see answers.

  46. Bond, James Bond.

    1 is Daniel Craig. I actually love him as Bond. 2 is Tom Hiddleston who damaged his image when he dated Taylor Swift. Although I didn’t think of him as a playboy. 5 is Idris Elba. I’d watch his Bond all day long. Not sure about the others, although I think 3 is Jason Statham.

  47. 1. Michael Fassbender

    2. Tom Hiddleston

    3. Luke Evans

    4. Tom Hardy/Jamie Bell (although, Tom Hardy definitely has “cool confidence”; I don’t know how that could be him!)

    5. Idris Elba

    6. Aiden Turner

    7. Chris Pratt (He fits the “adorable” clue)/Charlie Hunnam (he’s pretty damn hot, though!)

  48. My guesses:

    1. A Fiennes brother
    2. Tom Hiddleston
    3. Michael Fassbender
    4. Josh Hutcherson
    5. Idris Elba
    6. ?
    7. Ryan Gosling

  49. 1. Daniel Craig

    2. Tom Hiddleston

    3. Tom Hardy

    4. James McAvoy

    5. Idris Elba

    6. Aiden Turner

    7. ??

    [Optional] Who would you like to see in this role? Don’t really care but I think it’s funny TH might miss out on this role because he chose to date TS for publicity! hahahaha

    Looking forward to seeing more guesses!