Amazon Boss Jeff Bezos Asks Who Fans Would Pick as the Next James Bond, and the Answer Is Loud and Clear

Following the surprising announcement that Amazon has assumed full creative control over the James Bond franchise, with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back, fans are buzzing with anticipation about who will take on the iconic role of 007 next. Jeff Bezos, the head of Amazon, sparked a lively discussion on X (formerly Twitter) by asking his followers to weigh in on their choice for the next James Bond.

While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated as potential candidates, one name has emerged as the clear frontrunner among fans: Henry Cavill.

The online community's response was swift and decisive, with Henry Cavill trending shortly after Bezos' tweet. Known for his roles as Superman and in "The Witcher," Cavill has long been a fan favorite for the role of Bond. His recent involvement in Amazon's ambitious Warhammer 40,000 project has only fueled speculation about his potential to step into the shoes of the world's most famous spy.

Cavill's history with the Bond franchise adds an intriguing layer to the discussion. He famously auditioned for the role during the casting of "Casino Royale" in 2006, an audition praised as "tremendous" by director Martin Campbell. However, at the age of 23, Cavill was deemed too young for the part, which ultimately went to Daniel Craig.

In a 2023 interview with The Express, Campbell reflected on Cavill's audition, stating, "He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape… very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then."

Cavill himself has acknowledged the close call, sharing in an interview with Josh Horowitz, "It was ultimately down to, and this is what I’ve been told, it was just down to me and Daniel, and I was the younger option. They obviously went with Daniel and I think it was an amazing choice to go with Daniel. I probably wasn’t ready at the time and I think Daniel did an incredible job over the past movies, so I’m happy they made that choice."

With Daniel Craig's departure following "No Time to Die," the search for the next James Bond intensified. Campbell noted the age considerations, saying, "By the time Daniel got to [No Time To Die] really he was at an age where one more would have been too old for him. I think they sign on for three Bonds, I’m not absolutely 100% certain of that. I know with Pierce [Brosnan] he had to sign on to three when we did him. So, that’s going to take, what, six years of your life maybe? I suspect Daniel [had] the same deal. And the next guy’s going to have to do that."

At 40 years old, Cavill's age aligns well with the timeline for a multi-film commitment. Campbell added, "Henry’s 40, so by the time he’s done the third one he’s going to be 50. Anything beyond that’s two, three years per Bond. He’s in good shape Henry, he’s a good guy. He did very well in the audition, but ironically, he was too young."

As Amazon takes the helm of the James Bond series, the possibility of Henry Cavill stepping into the role of 007 has never been more tantalizing. With fan support firmly behind him and his proven track record in action-packed roles, Cavill could well be the next face of the iconic franchise.