DAVID BECKHAM

Mr Golden Balls. The man who has bent the ball like no other. If a sportsman ever has to play Bond, there can be no better choice than Becks. The 40-year-old father of four is a dish, his suave style making him a perfect candidate for 007. And then there is that yummilicious body. 

What will work: We can imagine that lining-up-the-free-kick look as he quietly sips on his martini, those tattooed biceps playing peekaboo from under the white shirt casually rolled up. What’s not to love?

What won’t: Becks is a pretty boy and the camera loves him. But can he act? (Psst: By the way, did you catch this picture of Becks in a teeny-weeny cameo in buddy Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E?).

IDRIS ELBA

We know that Sony Pictures — courtesy, the Sony hack last year — wants Idris Elba to play Bond once Daniel Craig hangs up his tux. We know that author Anthony Horowitz dismissed the 43-year-old Luther hunk as “too street” to play the smooth super spy (he did withdraw his comment after being criticised). But we feel Elba — the man who was a ruthless drug lord in The Wire and Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom — has the arresting looks and the acting chops to make a strong bid for Bond.

What will work: It’s all in the look… Elba seems like a man who can go from making love to firing a Walther PPK, all in one sweep.

What won’t: Age. At 43, Elba is a little too old to play Bond. The other strong contenders — Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy — are both in their late 30s. But then Craig (inset) is now 47!

HUGH JACKMAN

Worthington’s interest in Bond may have waned, but no such problems for fellow Australian Hugh Jackman who has been wanting to be the MI6 man for a long, long time. “I’d seriously consider it,” the 46-year-old hunk said about being Bond. By the way, Jackman had declined the Bond offer years ago, choosing instead to play Wolverine in the X-Men films.

What will work: The rare combination of a cocky sexiness and unshaven charm that Jackman brings to the table. And that body is still to live for.

What won’t: A Bond on the wrong side of 40? Erm...

TOM HARDY

Over the last few weeks, Hardy has edged out Elba as the bookie’s favourite to Bond with the best. Hardy has said: “I think anybody would consider doing Bond, wouldn’t they?” We’ve seen him as the menacing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Time for the 37-year-old to pull off the mask and surprise as a smooth Bond?

What will work: He has the swag. He has the piercing eyes. The clincher? He has the best lips in the business. And anyone who can make the adrenaline-pumping car chases in Mad Max: Fury Road look like child’s play is just waiting to be the next Bond. And that rugged
English-ness… boy, oh boy!

What won’t: Is he just too much of a star already to build a new identity as Agent 007?

MICHAEL FASSBENDER

The man of the moment. The actor everyone wants a piece of. Over his last few films, the 38-year-old hottie has shown the range he’s capable of. The one thing missing from his wow CV? Bond.

What will work: The intensity of Magneto (in the X-Men films), the lustful power of Rochester (in Jane Eyre), the raw energy of Edwin Epps (12 Years A Slave) and the sexy abandon of Brandon (in Shame). This is one man who can give 007 a new dimension, raw and edgy. Aah, those eyes!

What won’t: Like Hardy, Fassbender is a big star already, pursuing many passion projects and doing his own thing — Assassin’s Creed to Macbeth.

TOM HIDDLESTON

Now this is one actor who can turn Bond on his head. The man we best know as the devious Loki (The Avengers) will be a unique choice for a role in which he would look quite dapper in a suit. “I’d like to bring a certain British charm to the part,” the 34-year-old has said.

What will work: Just the sheer shake and stir he will bring to the franchise. Starting from that un-Bondlike wiry physicality to that lopsided smile, this man could play against type and deliver.

What won’t: Are we that ready to have a Tom Hiddleston say Bond, James Bond?

SAM WORTHINGTON

The rare actor who doesn’t want to play Bond — “I want to get my own franchise going instead of jumping onto something that’s already established,” was the word from Worthington when initial talk of him being a top contender surfaced. But if he ever changes his mind (he did audition for Casino Royale, but lost out to Craig), the Bond films could benefit from the 39-year-old Australian actor’s presence — intense and impetuous, that
deep-set stare and pursed mouth keeping you guessing.

What will work: A raw power and brooding sexiness.

What won’t: The Avatar star doesn’t do suave. At least not for us.

DAMIAN LEWIS

He’s almost as intense as Craig and after playing the morally ambiguous Nicolas Brody in Homeland, the 44-year-old redhead needs to redeem himself by saving the world as Bond.

What will work: A favourite of the bookies till not too long ago, Lewis has the potential to be both cool and charming. That he hasn’t been seen too much on screen works in keeping the curiosity factor alive.

What won’t: Is he too old at 45? And, er, is he too much of a redhead?

BOND FROM BOLLY?

Hrithik Roshan: Greek God looks with sex appeal, magnetism, personality and bang-bang action. Hrithik is tailormade for Bond.

Shah Rukh Khan: King Khan will bring wry humour and a fun edge to Bond, all the while keeping it intense.

Priyanka Roy
Who would you pick as the next Bond? Tell t2@abp.in