In the wake of Daniel Craig’s apparent confirmation that last year’s Spectre was his final outing as archetypal British agent James Bond, the entire cinematic community is beginning to experience the traditional anticipation that goes hand-in-hand with the selection of a new 007. Whilst Tom Hardy and Luther star Idris Elba still lead the pack of hopefuls, old Etonian Tom Hiddleston has recently thrown his (exceptionally stylish) hat into the ring.
Hiddleston, who is currently filming the newest instalment of the King Kong saga, entitled Kong: Skull Island, told The Sunday Times that the opportunity to experience a bit of the MI5 lifestyle – complete with more martinis that you could shake a stick at – would be “extraordinary”. “I’m a huge fan of the series,” explained the 35-year-old former Cambridge graduate, “I simply love the theme tune, the tropes, and the mythology. I love the whole thing.”
Hiddleston joins a list of potential Bonds that counts Homeland star Damien Lewis and current Man of Steel Henry Cavill amongst their number. Though he stressed that he would not take the physical demands of the role “lightly”, questions may well still be raised over his ability to accurately portray the feats of endurance we have come to associate with our beloved Bond – a question which his as-yet-unspecified role in action blockbuster Skull Island may seek to answer.
Whilst Hiddleston’s fans may regard him as the perfect fit for the cut-glass elegance of Ian Fleming’s eponymous Englishman, he’s certainly up against formidable competitors. After all, TIME magazine’s recent poll of potential ‘Bonds’ came in at over 100 names – including Angelina Jolie and Jude Law!