Bezos' James Bond Poll: Fans Speak Out

The surprising news of Amazon's acquisition of creative control over the James Bond franchise, with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping aside, has ignited a firestorm of speculation: Who will be the next 007? Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos even posed the question to his X/Twitter followers, and the response was overwhelmingly clear.

While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (a previous frontrunner) are being discussed, one name consistently rises to the top: Henry Cavill.

Cavill's surge in popularity following Bezos' tweet is undeniable, fueled by a fervent fanbase eager to see the Superman and Witcher star take up the mantle from Daniel Craig. His involvement in Amazon's Warhammer 40,000 project further fuels speculation about a potential Bond role.

Interestingly, Cavill famously auditioned for 2006's Casino Royale. Director Martin Campbell described the audition as "tremendous," but the then 23-year-old Cavill was deemed too young, losing out to Daniel Craig. Campbell later stated that Cavill "looked great," possessed "tremendous" acting skills, and would have made an "excellent Bond" had Craig not been cast.

Cavill himself acknowledged the audition, stating he was likely "not ready at the time" and praising Craig's performance. He also highlighted the likely three-film commitment for Bond actors, a factor that could influence the casting decision. At 40, Cavill's age is now considered a more suitable fit for the role, given the typical commitment. Campbell's comments suggest that age, while previously a barrier, is now less of a concern.