Many James Bond fans have Tom Hardy pegged as Daniel Craig's successor, but would the actor be better suited to a different role in Bond 26? Finally releasing in late 2021, No Time To Die marked Daniel Craig's fifth and final mission as cinema's most widely-known secret agent. The hunt for a new 007 is now officially underway, as long-serving James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has confirmed conversations over who'll star in Bond 26. When picking a new 007, Broccoli's Eon productions have typically plumped for under-the-radar Bonds - Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Daniel Craig all falling under that category.
The current front-runners for MI5's vacancy are Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, and, indeed, Tom Hardy. Since a starring role in 2008's Bronson exposed Hardy's talents to a mainstream audience, the London-born actor has featured in The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road, Peaky Blinders, Legend and two Venom movies. Attached to the James Bond gig since 2017, Tom Hardy is currently odds-on favorite to replace Daniel Craig, and has support from notable figures such as Christopher Nolan and Pierce Brosnan. Hardy himself meanwhile, once teased the rumors were true for an April Fools gag.
Both the "Hardy for Bond" and the "good lord, that's a terrible idea" camps make compelling arguments. Though the actor's age isn't as problematic as some in the latter group might suggest, Hardy is hampered by his A-list status. As well as possibly being "too famous" for 007, casting Tom Hardy risks an all-too-familiar next Bond. Audiences have seen the Brit in similar roles (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, for instance), and one would imagine Hardy's natural grit would fall somewhere close to the 007 Daniel Craig portrayed between 2006 and 2021. Tom Hardy may not be the most convincing choice as the hero of Bond 26, then... but how about as the film's villain?
"Tom Hardy, Bond villain" has a certain ring to it - and far greater appeal than the actor playing 007 himself. Any age concerns can be immediately dismissed, as 007 has faced enemies of all persuasions over the years, from the fresh-face of Rami Malek's Safin, to experienced baddies Largo, Klebb, and Stromberg. Hardy's fame is no longer an obstacle either. Eon usually prefers lesser-known 007s, allowing them to mold new Bonds without audiences having an established image of the actor involved. For villains only starring in a single movie, that doesn't apply. Finally, playing James Bond unavoidably comes burdened with limitations of character, but Tom Hardy's most memorable creations are unpredictable, quirky, offbeat types that, for better or worse (see: Capone), don't conform to a strict formula. Cast as Bond 26's antagonist, Tom Hardy would be free to go wild creatively, putting his own over-the-top spin on the classic "Bond villain" trope - something he wouldn't be able to do playing 007.
Tom Hardy's previous roles also lean more naturally toward a James Bond villain than James Bond, the hero. Whether he's breaking Batman's back while muttering something unintelligible, or antagonizing the Shelby brothers, Hardy is perfect as a violent and eccentric force of nature. Then there's performances as morally questionable real life figures Al Capone, Charles Bronson, and both Kray twins. The dark, tortured, sadistic qualities Tom Hardy pulled from these characters would provide the perfect basis for Bond 26's villain. That's not to suggest 007 should face off against a 1950s gangster from London's East End, but those traits could make for an original and striking megalomaniac in a future James Bond movie. Sure, Tom Hardy has played plenty of worthy protagonists during his time - Mad Max, Inception's Eames, Eddie Brock, etc. - but he's clearly having more fun when raising hell as the eccentric outsider. And there's no "eccentric outsider" job in movies better than playing a James Bond villain.