Listed alphabetically by last name:
* Christian Bale, born 1974, a Welshman. Former child actor. Looks great in designer suits, and certainly has a license to kill (see American Psycho). Since he is the next Batman, I doubt he'd be cast in 2 iconic roles...
"James Bond is every British actor's Holy Grail in many ways -- the most recognised British character on the big screen. I've also been a big fan of Tim Burton's Batman movies. His almost gothic approach brought a wonderful cinematic feel to an American hero. I'd love to do either part but I'd also worry about being typecast. James Bond in the new Millennium has so much potential - in the new movie xXx, the Bond character is skewered as being out of step for our times - Bond is in dire need of updating..." [from Web Wombat]
* Colin Firth, born 1960, an Englishman. Mr. Darcy!! I love Colin Firth. I've actually seen 2 bad movies of his, the one with the medieval pig, and My Life So Far. But otherwise, he's very good in so many different films: the football lout in Fever Pitch, with the pony tail in Valmont, and the film buff in Apartment Zero.
The actor tells Entertainment Weekly magazine that he'd seriously consider taking over the James Bond franchise from Pierce Brosnan. Unlike another famous Colin - Colin Farrell, who says he's not interested in the role despite being Brosnan's choice - there's been no talk of Firth grabbing Bond's Walther PPK. "No one has approached me, but I would not be averse to it" [Associated Press (Nov. 18 2004)]
* Ioan Gruffudd, born 1973, a Welshman. Best known as Hornblower and as Bosinney in the latest Forsyte Saga on TV.
Welsh screen heart-throb Ioan Gruffudd has declared "My name's not Bond - James Bond" - at least not for a few years. "I would love to be Bond one day but at the moment I feel I'm too young, and Pierce Brosnan has said he has two or three films in him again," he explained. BBC Radio (May 11 2002)
* Hugh Jackman, born 1968 [though there are doubters], an Australian. Has the best hair of anyone on this list, and he is 6'3". Musical theater star, Olivier and Tony Awards winner for Best Actor, was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Joe Gillis in Sunset Blvd. Definite swoon material as Curly in the London's Oklahoma!. On Broadway, portraying Liza's ex, Peter Allen. Played Wolverine in the X-Men movies. Has made 3 films with Halle Berry. I've really grown to hate his singing voice, been hearing Oz too much on AccuBroadway.
...Signing to the mega Hollywood agent CAA followed a 15-minute preview of Paperback Hero, in which Jackman plays a truckdriver who moonlights as a romance novelist, and the hype over Oklahoma!. '"Every night it was 'such and such from Warner Bros studio is in tonight; Barbara Broccoli is in tonight looking for a new James Bond...'" So is Jackman about to be the next James Bond? "I haven't heard anything since. I'm sure Pierce Brosnan is contracted up to the eyeballs, but you never know. I think they probably always have an eye open." Syndney Morning Herald (March 24, 1999)
...There is talk that Jackman would make a good James Bond, especially as he heads towards 40. He says he hasn't yet heard this sentiment "from anyone with the power to actually give me the job." But if a new Bond is needed, "I'll put my hand up." USA Weekend (June 1-3 2001)
* Jeremy Northam, born 1962, an Englishman. His Mr. Knightly in Emma is to die for, the epitome of a Regency hero. Has become quite a versatile character actor.
...When asked about how it felt to be a contender as the next James Bond, he responds with a bewildering expression. "It's funny because years ago, when they were interviewing people, and I hadn't done a lot of acting, I went along with the interview," said Northam. "Everyone knew that Pierce (Brosnan) was going to be doing the job." As he smiles, he explains that "10 seconds into the interview, there is nothing to say, and they have nothing to say because you are, quite plainly, not appropriate for the part." Zap2It.com (May 17 2002)
* Ewan McGregor, born 1971, a Scotsman. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Has quite the Bond look in Down with Love, but he needs to get those warts off his face, very distracting.
...McGregor admits he's heard a murmur that he would be a good candidate to play James Bond when Pierce Brosnan retires. "I don't want to hypothesize as to what I might do if the offer came. I'd have to wait until they actually approached me. I went through the same kind of angst and decision-making when George Lucas came to me for Star Wars. I think playing Bond would be an even greater commitment. They turn them out closer together than George does the Star Wars films and it appears to me that Pierce spends as much time promoting those films as he does making them." London Free Press, (May 20 3003)
* Clive Owen, born 1965, an Englishman. Star of the casino movie Croupier. Star of the series of web short films at BMWfilms.
...Clive Owen is not the new James Bond, despite rampant reports circulating last week that Pierce Brosnan was passing the torch and the babes after doing just one more film. Brosnan hasn't said he's giving up 007. "It's just continued speculation," an exasperated Owen said with a sigh last weekend. "Me becoming the next Bond has become so common that when I read the rumors I even shake my head." His mates are another story. "I had a phone call last week from an old, dear American friend saying, 'You bastard, Clive! You signed for 2 Bond films and you never told me!' I guess it was supposedly confirmed somewhere that I had," Owen said. And now for the truth? "It's all rumor. I read what you read. Let me just tell you that there has never been an official approach from the Bond people toward me. And since that is the case, there is no point in me wasting time thinking about it." Chicago Sun-Times (October 19 2003)
...The current favourite appears to be British actor Clive Owen, an actor who has buckets of intensity but, judging by the awful King Arthur, all the animation and charisma of a handsome turnip. Scotland on Sunday (August 1 2004)
* James Purefoy, born 1964, an Englishman. Supposedly has an inside track, but won't sell in the US if no one has ever heard of him. The only things I've seen him in are Bedrooms and Hallways and Jilting Joe, which he scowled through. Doesn't impress me.
"...[James Bond is] a great and iconic part and one that I'd give very serious consideration to playing, should I be called upon to pack the Walter PPK. I believe they're looking for a new one at the moment, so I shall be honored to simply make the short list. [chat on USA Today (Sept. 3 2004)]
* Dougray Scott, born 1965, a Scotsman. Real first name is Stephen. Loved him in Ever After.
Dougray Scott, who is rumoured to be the Bond producers' first choice, has said that he will turn down the role if it is offered to him because he thinks he would never be able to better fellow Scot, Sean Connery. "I'm very flattered that people consider me good enough to play James Bond," he told reporters. "But I couldn't play that part any better than Sean did. To be honest I am not convinced I am suave enough so I doubt I would do it." Guardian (Nov 29 2000)