Summary
- Tom Hiddleston stands out as the best-suited actor to become James Bond due to his good looks, gentlemanly persona, and ability to pass off as a 30-something actor while being in his early 40s.
- Hiddleston’s experience in the action genre, particularly his performance as Loki in the MCU and his role in “Kong: Skull Island,” proves that he has the fighting skills, charm, and ability to amplify steamy romantic storylines that are essential for a James Bond actor.
- Hiddleston’s role in “The Night Manager,” where he played a spy, showcases his talent for playing a British spy, winning a Golden Globe for his performance and demonstrating that he is more than qualified to take on the role of James Bond.
Ian Fleming’s original character, James Bond, is a gentleman spy who has been saving the world since being created in 1952. Following the first cinematic portrayal of James Bond by Sean Connery in Dr. No, which was released in 1962, the franchise became a huge success. Now, we continue to see the films upgrading and even avoiding certain flaws and mishaps that can come off as insensitive.
With Daniel Craig, the latest actor to play Bond, having said his farewell to his portrayal of 007 in No Time To Die, creators are on the lookout for a new face to take over the title of 007. This also means that the excited fans are throwing numerous names and creating a list of possible James Bonds. Tom Hiddleston is a highly acclaimed actor who has taken over numerous roles. But so are Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Idris Elba, and Henry Cavill. Here’s what makes Hiddleston stand out from the crowd as the best-suited actor to become James Bond.
Update November 23, 2023: This article has been updated with even more reasons why Tom Hiddleston should be the next actor to play the spy who loves his Martinis shaken and not stirred.
British Heart-throb
Let’s start with the most obvious reason why Hiddleston should play this role. The man is not only good-looking, but he has the gentlemanly persona that is part of the James Bond mythology. In fact, if one is to watch his interviews, one can easily be charmed by his smile and the way he talks. Of course, many have suggested that younger actors like Tom Holland should take over the infamous spy’s role. However, the creators have made it very clear that they are looking for a “30-something” actor.
During an interview with RadioTimes, Debbie McWilliams, the casting director on the Bond series, stated that while young actors have auditioned for the role, they had lacked the gravitas, the experience, and the mental capacity to “take it on”. She has a very good point, and she emphasizes how taking over this role is a “massive responsibility”. Given that James Bond is a character who has been beloved for decades, the wrong casting can create a huge outcry and the loss of something legendary.
Going back to Hiddleston’s candidacy, the actor is in his early 40s and can easily pass off for a 30-something person, which ticks off one thing the casting directors look for. As for his experience and mental capacity, Hiddleston’s portfolio is evidence enough to say that he has continued to devour every role he takes and outshine other characters. Moreover, the actor is also well-versed in other performance arenas like theater, which require a different set of skills, including an imposing stage presence, something needed for the character of Bond.
Tom Hiddleston Thrives In the Action Genre
If the next James Bond actor is to keep up with, or perhaps surpass Daniel Craig and deliver an equally brilliant performance, they also need to be someone with experience in the action genre. Looking at Hiddleston’s performance of Loki in the MCU it’s clear that the actor has the right tools for the job. Loki is a rare villain who won over the fans, and that is due to the charm that Hiddleston has given him. His fighting skills are on point, his sarcasm is brilliant, and his cold looks can pierce through the screen. If it weren’t for Hiddleston, Loki would not have become a breakout MCU character.
Looking at other action-based films in which Hiddleston took part, there is Kong: Skull Island. Here, he plays the role of Captain James Conrad, who ends up being the savior of sorts as he manages to save Kong from the villains. This film also includes a subtle budding romance between Captain James Conrad and Mason Weaver (Brie Larson); it is very tempting amidst all the action. If one thing James Bond films are sure to include, it is a steamy romantic story, and it is safe to say that Hiddleston is very much capable of amplifying that.
Tom Hiddleston’s Role in The Night Manager
In a way, the limited series The Night Manager is like an extended version of a Bond film. You have the British spy, a romantic storyline, and suspense and excitement that arise from all the action. In The Night Manager, Hiddleston takes over the role of Jonathan Pine, a night manager who later becomes a spy. The actor went on to win a Golden Globe in the Best Actor category for this specific performance, showing that he’s more than qualified to take on another spy role.
Loki Season 2 Is a Great Proof-Of-Concept
Tom Hiddleston’s work as Loki has always been his best and also his calling card as an actor. The second season of the Disney+ TV series might also be a great audition for the role of James Bond, as this season, The God of Mischief, is much more heroic. He can win a fight by punching someone, but he prefers other methods, like interrogation, seduction, and threatening someone. All those are must-have qualities for the new 007, and were some of the reasons both Sean Connery and Roger Moore were great Bonds.
Craig had a great run as the spy, but his Bond was a bit more of a brute force, while Hiddleston can bring back the slicker, smoother sides of the character. If all that wasn’t enough, Bond and Loki even share some biographical details, as both were orphans who were adopted by more affluent families who treated them a bit less than, and that made them feel inadequate. Therefore, if the new 007 movies were to look into those traumas, Hiddleston has experience performing them in the MCU.
His Schedule Is Open
Likely, something holding Hiddleston up was his commitment to the MCU. His role as Loki took up a lot of his time. While Hiddleston still had room to experiment and try other projects out, his recurring role in the MCU took up a lot of his time, and likely taking on two major franchises would have made it impossible for Hiddleston to pursue other roles.
Yet it appears Loki season 2 marks the end of Hiddleston’s time as the character. While he might show up in Avengers: Secret Wars, the actor has seemingly indicated his tenure as Loki is done. With a much more open schedule, he could easily fit James Bond in while also being able to take on roles in television series like Essex Serpent.
Possibly a Fresh Take on Bond
Finally, another compelling reason why Hiddleston is perfect for the role is due to his ability to add his own essence to the characters. In Loki, he brings out a comical villain. In The Night Manager, he brings out a more sympathetic spy. Hiddleston could bring something new to James Bond. In addition to the gentlemanly traits and all the action, Hiddleston might be able to add a layer of sensitivity to the character, in turn, making him perfect for the current society.
Hiddleston’s Bond could shift the character back to the more traditional take on 007 while also experimenting with something new. Daniel Craig did a brilliant job in rebutting the title in No Time To Die. But, now it is time for the new 007 to ensure the Bond films don’t portray anything harmful, and Tom Hiddleston is the perfect man to do that as he could play a more emotional, sensitive and modern version of masculinity.
