Shock new favourite to play James Bond met with huge backlash from fans who have branded the actor ‘too adorable’ for the part
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Fans have reacted to the news that Tom Holland could be in line to play the next James Bond, with the actor dubbed ‘too adorable’ for the role.
Supporters have been eagerly waiting to find out who will be the next star with a ‘license to kill’ after Daniel Craig relinquished the part with the 2021 film No Time To Die.
Following months of speculation, three clear favourites for the coveted role at last emerged on Monday.
It is believed that Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man’s Tom Holland and Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson are at the top of Amazon’s wish-list, according to Variety.
But the news was met with much animosity by die-hard Bond fans, who were particularly disillusioned with the possibility of Tom Holland bagging the part.
Supporters have been eagerly waiting to find out who will be the next star with a ‘license to kill’ after Daniel Craig, 57, relinquished the part with the 2021 film No Time To Die (pictured in No Time To Die)
British actor Tom Holland, 29, emerged as a shock favourite for the part – but he was not a popular choice with fans (pictured in February 2022)
Tom has previously starred as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far from Home, with many cinema-goers describing him as ‘adorable’
The results of a MailOnline poll asking readers who their favourite of the three options was revealed that the majority of film-lovers would rather ‘someone else’ play 007.
A staggering 72 per cent of voters opted for the ‘someone else’ option, while 13 per cent picked Australian Jacob Elordi, five per cent chose Harris Dickinson and 10 per cent fancied Holland.
But Tom too received a heap of backlash on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a host of fans questioning whether he’s really a suitable Bond.
The British actor, 29, has previously starred as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far from Home, with many cinema-goers describing him as ‘adorable’.
Fans wrote: ‘Tom Holland as James Bond is like making a James Bond kids movie’,
‘I’m sorry. does even tom holland think he should be james bond. is that really something he thinks he’d be good at’,
‘I adore Tom Holland, and he was more than proved his ability to play action characters… but he cannot play James Bond. He’s too adorable’,
‘I just saw that Tom Holland is being considered for the next James Bond. I like him enough… but not as Bond. Maybe he could surprise us, but I just don’t see it’,
A host of fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to have their say on Tom Holland playing Bond
One of the favourites for the part is Harris Dickinson (pictured in November 2024), but he has previously played down speculation
While Jacob Elordie (pictured March 2022) could be in-line to be the second Aussie actor to play Bond after George Lazenby starred in On Her Majesty’s Service in 1969
‘Tom Holland as James Bond, what a terrible decision that would be. The other candidates are rubbish too. Amazon are going to kill this franchise with this nonsense. So many better candidates out there.’
Amazon are reportedly targeting a British actor under the age of 30 for the part, according to Variety.
Much-loved candidates Theo James, 40, Henry Cavill, 42, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, have all previously been bookies’ favourites to be the next Bond – but such an age rule would put all of the trio out of the running.
Leaks about the potential cast for the highly-anticipated film came a short time after Amazon studios announced that Denis Villeneuve – best known for directing Warner Bros’ two-part Dune adaptation – will be the movie’s director via a press release.
The French-Canadian filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.
Amazon had previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film’s producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Denis said in a statement: ‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.’
He added: ‘I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.’
The news was announced last week that Denis Villeneuve will be the director of the new Bond movie (pictured February 2023)
‘I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come,’ he said after accepting the gig (pictured February 2023)
The filmmaker admitted: ‘This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.’
Amy and David said: ‘Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.
‘It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.’
After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.
Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.
Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.
Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.
He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.
The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013’s Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.
He continued to win acclaim for 2013’s Enemy, 2015’s Sicario, 2016’s Arrival, 2017’s Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021’s Dune: Part One and 2024’s Dune: Part Two.
Daniel Craig was a much-loved Bond and enjoyed a five-film stint at 007 beginning with Casino Royale
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered – with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: ‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.’
The source added that it doesn’t necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool – though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
It was announced earlier this year that Amazon Prime had taken over ‘creative control’ of the James Bond franchise leaving fans fearing the beloved films could be ruined by endless spin-offs such as Star Wars.
There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond in the next movie
The deal comes after Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 as a part of its media push. The acquisition gave Amazon distribution rights to the 007 franchise but not creative control.
The company is said to be fast-tracking the new movie after spending a reported $1 billion to regain control from Barbara Broccoli.
There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.
Barbara Broccoli’s choice for Bond was thought to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was once favourite for the role, but Heyman and Pascal are likely to want to choose their own 007.
