Tom Hardy. Photo: Shutterstock
There’s nothing quite like a good flurry of speculation around who will take up the Aston Martin-whipping mantle as the next James Bond. Step forward Mr Tom Hardy, as the 38-year-old English actor and producer is said to be replacing Daniel Craig as the new 007, according to reports. Although not officially confirmed yet, all roads appear to be leading to Hardy after an alleged successful audition back in June of this year.
The actor has made waves in the cinema world since his breakthrough performance as Eames in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller Inception back in 2010. Having also put down some seriously good performances in Mad Max Fury, Peaky Blinders, and Venom, alongside his acclaimed portrayal of the criminal Charles Bronson, and as the villainous Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.
The much anticipated 25th film in the Bond series, No Time To Die, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, was originally scheduled for release in April, but due to the global pandemic, it has been plagued with delays and challenges. It will now hit cinema screens on November 19 in the UAE.
Any formal announcement around the potential replacement of the lead will be kept under wraps, however, possibly until later this year or in early 2021, and for the meantime, Hardy is doing a good job of keeping is cards close to his chest. “If I mention it, it’s gone.” the actor told US press when quizzed about the role.”You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one!”
And a tightly run race it was as the likes of fellow Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, and even retired footballing superstar David Beckham were also thought to be in the running for the part.
No Time To Die will serve as Craig’s swan song in the role as the 52-year-old hangs up his secret agent badge and we wait intently for the nonchalant arrival of the next, official Mr Bond.
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