Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch is an English actor and film producer who has performed in film, television, theatre, and radio. He gained international recognition for roles such as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock and Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cumberbatch has... read more I think he would make an excellent Bond himself, but his acting style as a villain, from Kahn to the Necromancer, is near unbeatable. Deep and dark voice, sharp emotional and physical expression, and in the plot development of a class-act Bond film, the last thing you'd expect. He would only make a mind-blowing Bond villain.
He'd be a great choice for the role, but I imagine he's getting a little too familiar with playing villains in major franchises. I'd guess that he'd turn the role down for the time being, at least until he's had time to distance himself from the typecasting issues.
Gary Oldman
Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, filmmaker, musician, and author. Renowned for his "big" acting style, Oldman is one of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film, and television. He has received a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award:... read more Considering how easy it is for him to play a convincing hero as it is for him to play a convincing villain, I'd say that he'd be a great choice. The 007 series could use a villain who isn't obviously evil from the moment we meet them, similar to Kristatos in 'For Your Eyes Only.'
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian actor and director. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger left for the United States in 1998 to develop his film career. He received critical acclaim for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight and posthumously won the... read more If only he were still with us. Just picture it. As a villain, he was vastly different from what we're after, but he'd have brought something else to Bond.
Yes. He would have been perfect for being a Bond villain. There's no denying that.
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is an English actor, voice actor, and singer, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film, and television productions, often portraying villainous roles or character parts. He became widely known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show... read more Shame his health issues have probably dashed any hopes, but in his heyday, he would've excelled as a Bond villain. Imagine Curry instead of Jonathan Pryce in 'Tomorrow Never Dies.'
Tim Curry hasn't exactly been busy these past few years. Maybe a role such as this would be the ticket he needs to become a bankable star again. I've always been a fan of his.
Cate Blanchett
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress and theatre director. She has received international acclaim and numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, three BAFTAs, six AACTA Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. As of 2025, her recent projects include... read more I must admit that her as a 007 villain has never crossed my mind. But now, with the idea planted in my head, I think she'd be brilliant. Imagine a twist involving her as a Bond girl who is revealed to be the main villain. Sure, it's not a new idea, but every time we've seen it, it's always involved a #2 villain or lower. She'd be the MAIN boss. I'm not going to be able to get this out of my head now.
Outstanding actress, and maybe a good Bond girl. I imagine a Bond girl who would betray Bond and slowly be revealed as the snake behind the whole villain's operation.
James Gandolfini
James John Gandolfini (September 18, 1961 - June 19, 2013) was an American actor.
He was best known for his portrayal of Tony Soprano, the Italian-American Mafia crime boss in HBO's television series The Sopranos (1999-2007). For this role, he won three Primetime Emmy Awards, five Screen Actors... read more
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis, known professionally as Bruce Willis, is a retired American actor, producer, and singer. He rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in Moonlighting and the Die Hard series. In 2022, his family announced he was stepping away from acting due to aphasia and later diagnosed with frontotemporal... read more
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, producer, and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. His role in a movie is often rather big. His character is often on the "loopy side" and his character being in a darker... read more His diversity would definitely be a strength if he were to accept the challenge. I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I've become slightly disenchanted with his work in recent years. He needs to lay off working for Tim Burton - too much white face makeup. If he's as good as they say he is in 'Black Mass,' then I might just give him my vote of confidence.
The man can do absolutely anything and everything, including a wicked, sinister villain. I imagine Ian Fleming and Christopher Lee would very much approve.
Robert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has been nominated for seven Academy Awards and seven Golden Globes and has received one BAFTA, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Emmy Award. His distinguished career includes iconic roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies... read more
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician... read more
The Newcomers
? Timothy Dalton
Timothy Peter Dalton is an English actor. He portrayed James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). Dalton is also known for playing Rassilon in Doctor Who and Rhett Butler in the television miniseries Scarlett. He really did play the lead James Bond in The Living Daylights.
? David Will No
The Contenders
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he helped lead a comedy renaissance in San Francisco. He passed away in August 2014 and is remembered for his improvisational genius, charity work, and heartfelt... read more
Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, director, and political activist. He's won two Academy Awards for Best Actor for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008), and has directed films such as Into the Wild and The Pledge. Penn is also known for his outspoken political views and humanitarian work, including... read more To think that he's the same actor who played Jeff Spicoli in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' amazes me, since the guy has got some of the best serious chops in the business. His intensity levels go through the roof when he wants them to. Imagining him as a Bond baddie paints a pretty interesting picture, I think.
Tom Hiddleston
Thomas William Hiddleston is an English actor. He's best known for his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Thor, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the Disney+ series Loki. He's also earned acclaim outside Marvel... read more
Jeremy Irons
Jeremy John Irons is an English actor. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he began his stage career in 1969 and has appeared in many West End productions such as The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, and Richard II. Irons has also had notable film roles in The Lion King,... read more
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins CBE is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He was born on December 31, 1937 in Margam, Wales. He is known for winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1992, and was nominated three additional times. Hopkins has also won three BAFTAs, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille... read more
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor of stage and screen whose career includes roles in both independent and blockbuster films. He is best known for performances in Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, Shame, X-Men: First Class, Prometheus, 12 Years a Slave, Frank, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Steve... read more
Penelope Cruz
Penélope Cruz Sánchez is a Spanish actress and model. At age 15, she was signed by an agent and made her acting debut on television at 16, followed by her feature film debut a year later in Jamón Jamón. Cruz has since become the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award, earning international... read more
Steve Buscemi
Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, comedian, director, and former New York City firefighter. He has appeared in numerous successful Hollywood and independent films, including Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and Boardwalk Empire. Buscemi is also an award-winning television... read more
Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Lydia Mirren is an English actress. She began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967 and is one of the few performers to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2007 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen... read more She's been in the news a lot within the past few months thanks to her enthusiasm for possibly playing a villain in the next 'Fast & Furious' installment. Well, I'd love to see her as a Bond villain first.
Perhaps the main reason why she'll likely never play the role is that she can be very similar to Judi Dench. Their personalities can be very much the same when playing characters that have power. Too bad. She'd be a natural choice.
David Tennant
David Tennant is a Scottish actor known for his roles in television and film. He is best known for portraying the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, Alec Hardy in Broadchurch, and Kilgrave in Jessica Jones. Tennant has also appeared in the Harry Potter film series as Barty Crouch Jr. and played the lead in... read more Too awesome. If he pulls a Kilgrave-style performance, that would be amazing! I think he could play a playful villain with a lot of jokes and a sinister edge.
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey Fowler KBE (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor and producer. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1980s, obtaining supporting roles in film and television. Spacey has received various accolades for his performances on stage and screen, including two Academy Awards, a Tony Award,... read more
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law (born December 29, 1972) is an English actor. He has received nominations for two Academy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Awards, winning one... read more
Christian Bale
Christian Charles Philip Bale (born January 30, 1974) is an English actor known for his versatility and physical transformations for roles. He has been a leading man in films across several genres and has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2014, Forbes... read more
Henry Fonda
Henry Jaynes Fonda, born May 16, 1905, and died August 12, 1982, was an American film and stage actor. He had a career that spanned more than fifty years and included many critically acclaimed roles. Fonda won the Academy Award for Best Actor for On Golden Pond and was widely respected for performances... read more
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estévez, known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor.
Sheen has appeared in films including Platoon, Wall Street, Young Guns, Eight Men Out, Major League, Hot Shots!, and The Three Musketeers.
His other well-known roles include Charlie Harper on Two and a... read more Okay, admittedly, I don't think he can pull off a Scottish accent, but I think he could probably pull off the character, particularly with his relationships with women.