With Daniel Craig finally stepping down from his role as James Bond and Barbara Broccoli's recent statement to Variety about the delay in deciding the next chapter of the movie franchise, there is much for people on Reddit to discuss the future of the Bond films.
All this being said, fans have taken to Reddit to discuss who they want to play James Bond, but even more of them have expressed who they don't want to play the new Bond. There are several actors who audiences do not think will not honor the franchise.
Joe Wilkinson
The James Bond franchise has a very long legacy that needs to be restored with a suave, strong, and action-oriented Brit. However, thatsmypapaya says Joe Wilkinson, the English comedian, would be one of the worst picks for James Bond.
They say he's the ironic perfect choice because he has "dark hair, a killer beard and he's got the suit!" With all this in mind, it would be difficult to keep a straight face with him as he tries to play a serious Bond when most people associate him with comedy.
Dick Van Dyke
Permanenceisall thinks Dick Van Dyke is not suitable for the role because even though they "love the guy, you have to it he'd make a terrible Bond these days." Dick Van Dyke is most well known for being a positive and bubbly actor, which is not who James Bond is.
Not only that, but Dick Van Dyke is in his late 90s. It would be a risk for studios to put a whole franchise on his back at his current age. Although, it's fair to say he would have made a great Bond maybe 40 or 50 years ago and had a performance that rivaled Daniel Craig's best.
Danny DeVito
It's difficult to not love Danny DeVito who has built a great career as a character actor in films such as Matilda, Batman, and several other classics. Redditor not_leah says that they "love the guy, but this role was not meant for him."
Danny DeVito has stated that action scenes have caused him some trouble in the past when he was filming It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and it's not worth him risking his safety just for fans to get a kick out of him as the famous spy. He's also out of the normal age range to play Bond.
James Corden
Talk show host and actor, James Corden, who has had some of the best roles, was discussed thoroughly by several different Redditors who believed he would be ill-fitted to play the role of the international superspy James Bond. Footie_Fan_98 says it's because "he's obnoxious, for starters. That typically isn't a British style of comedy..."
While some people came to James Corden's defense, the overall consensus is that most people discount him as an option because of his personality and because he is more comfortable working on American comedy platforms or lighthearted musicals.
Noel Fielding
Noel Fielding is known for being a British actor and comedian who hosts the Great British Bake Off. Redditor hellweaver_666 believes that even though Noel Fielding would be a terrible choice, he would make it funny by saying "his drink of choice would be a pot noodle, shaken, not stirred."
Fielding is known for being a gentle soul who just loves to do goofy things to make other people laugh. Though he is witty, he doesn't have the acting skills or the charismatic, yet unapproachable personality of a true Bond actor.
Rupert Grint
G-Calvers says, ironically, that Rupert Grint would make a great Bond because "[he] gets all the ladies, [he has] great comedy delivery, [and he] could drive a car at 12 years old." Redditors also confessed it would be fun to finally have a red-headed Bond.
Rupert Grint is a male actor who will always be defined by one role which is his portrayal of Ron Weasley. There's no doubt that he is a great actor, but he doesn't possess the natural smoothness that every Bond actor has, unfortunately.
Paul Hollywood
Paul Hollywood is a great baker and one of the toughest judges on the Great British Bake Off. Redditor rocketscientology along with Sausagemum agree that Paul Hollywood, though he wouldn't be suited to the role, still hits some of the necessary bases to play James Bond.
Redditor rocketscientology even goes so far as to state "those piercing blue eyes...very Bond." Though he may be British, have the look, and be handy with a kitchen knife, he lacks the acting chops to play Bond. His age also puts him at a disadvantage.
Stephen Merchant
Redditor bigdave_1 says "Stephen Merchant [is the worst possible suggestion for the next Bond]. But, actually, the more I think about it, the more I want to see it." Though mostly known for being a comedic actor, Stephen merchant could most certainly bring a new spin to Bond.
However, he's very unlikely to play the character because of his extreme height of 6'7" and his extremely slender frame. He's very imposing, but not charming in the same way that Bond is supposed to be. Redditor make a great Bond villain."
Macaulay Culkin
Extreme-Database-695 answers the question of who would be the worst possible Bond suggestion by saying "Macauley Culkin - blonde-ish, American, short but - in Home Alone - he has all these devices to stop wrong 'uns, a bit like Bond and his devices."
In other words, Macaulay Culkin is no stranger to outsmarting his enemies in his movies. However, he's not acted in a larger movie in a long time and even though he fits the age and the physical description of Bond, he's, sadly, not a British heartthrob.
Larry David
Everybody loves Larry David from his show Curb Your Enthusiasm, but there's no question that he would make a terrible Bond. Ganglebot even says "The Larry David Bond would be so good because he'd have no skills, training, whatever."
Though it would be hilarious to see Larry David talk his way out of being captured by a Bond-level villain, it's clear that with his age, his lack of action movie skills, and his general curmudgeonly demeanor he would not make a good James Bond on any level.
