10 Actors Who Are Perfect Casting To Play Bond Villains

The world is in constant debate over who should play the next James Bond. Whether it be the dark seriousness of Daniel Craig or the fun wit of Roger Moore, every actor’s tenure as Bond comes with a different and distinct flavor. But the style and quality of a 007 film isn’t just influenced by the man in the sharp tux driving the Aston Martin; the films are also impacted by their supporting cast, directors, and, of course, the villains. One of the most iconic rogues galleries in cinema, Bond villains are a badge of honor for actors in much the same way that James Bond himself is, with some of Hollywood’s most iconic performers battling 007 throughout the years.

From classic criminal masterminds like Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) to the twisted ex-agents like Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), Bond villains aren’t just memorable but diverse, allowing a multitude of different actors to embody new and exciting concepts in every film. Countless talented actors, both established and upcoming, could represent vastly different but equally exciting enemies for 007 to take in the future. So no matter who shocks the world and is chosen to play the next James Bond, expect his list of enemies to be just as, if not more exciting. These actors would all be perfect to antagonize Bond in a future movie; frankly, it’s surprising some of these haven’t done it already.

10 Tom Hanks

Most Recently Seen in ‘A Man Called Otto’ (2023)

At first glance, two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks may seem like the complete opposite of what would make a compelling and threatening Bond villain. When not an outright heroic protagonist in films like Saving Private Ryan, Hanks is best known for trustworthy, loveable roles like Forrest Gump, Mr. Rogers, and even Walt Disney. The warmth and safety Hanks brings to this latter type of character make it the perfect foundation from which the actor could build a memorable and subversive Bond villain.

Both in real life and Hank’s portrayal in Saving Mr. Banks, Walt Disney has a finely crafted and maintained public image. In the world of Bond, a character utilizing a similarly controlled public identity to hide ulterior motives could make for an amazingly unnerving and creepy villain capable of gaining and abusing public trust. Films such as The Circle and Elvis have explored Hanks’ ability to abuse his charm for manipulation and personal gain, but giving him the opportunity to dive head first into the role of an eerie scheming magnate would be a great way to fully subvert audiences’ expectations.

9 Colman Domingo

Most Recently Seen in ‘Sing Sing’ (2024)

Appearing in critically acclaimed projects such as Selma and Zola, Oscar nominee Colman Domingo has been slowly but steadily rising in the eyes of critics and audiences for years now and has shown a depth of range and complexity as a character actor rivaled by very few. The best showcase of how Domingo may operate in the world of 007, however, may be one of his first breakout roles as Fear The Walking Dead‘s primary antagonist, Victor Strand.

Growing from a scheming conman to an outright militaristic dictator over throughout the series, Domingo’s Strand showcases the ambition, ruthlessness, and commanding presence to stand next to even the most threatening Bond villains. Additionally, in the character’s relationship with Fear The Walking Dead series protagonist Alicia Clark (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Domingo showcases his ability to provide humanizing and relatable aspects to villainous characters.

8 Cillian Murphy

Most Recently Seen in ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

While certain Bond villains stand apart from traditional mad scientists, there is no rule that mad scientists have to be traditional. If the next 007 film is to go that route, there is hardly a better option for a demented genius than the current reigning best actor winner, Cillian Murphy. The unhinged Scarecrow/Jonathan Crane in Christopher Nolan‘s Dark Knight Trilogy showcases how fun and creepy an all-out mad scientist played by Murphy could be. Meanwhile, the acclaimed role of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders showcases how well the actor can portray the leader of a villainous organization or cabal.

Perhaps the best route for a Cillian Murphy Bond villain to take would be to channel the classical stoic genius of a character like Dr. Robert J. Oppenheimer and twist it ever so slightly. Oppenheimer does an excellent job of presenting a debate about whether its titular character’s ends justify his means and as to what element the characters’ pride, self-confidence, and ego played into the horrific events he helped create. It’s a role that rightfully earned Murphy an Oscar and could also provide an amazing outline for an intellectual genius Bond villain.

7 Emily Blunt

Most Recently Seen in ‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)

While there will always be a place for the seductress femme-fatale Bond girl, more complicated and multi-faceted characters have been added throughout James Bond’s six-decade film series, especially during Craig’s tenure. One aspect still notably downplayed, however, is outright female Bond villains, and while Emily Blunt has proven in roles like Edge of Tomorrow that she can easily handle the action of a Bond film, it’s 2015’s Sicario that showcases just how good she could be as an enemy to 007.

In one of Denis Villienieuve’s most rewatchable films, Blunt stars as protagonist Kate Mercer, an FBI operative tasked with taking down drug cartels in Central America. Though initially idealistic, Mercer slowly allows more of her manipulative and violent tendencies to shine through as she becomes entangled in the immensely complex politics and morals of the war on drugs. Blunt showcases her ability to be a physical and mental threat in Sicario, and if this character framework was flipped to the other side of the law, she could use these traits to provide a compelling challenge to James Bond.

6 Lupita Nyong’o

Most Recently Seen in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (2024)

After starring in such smash hits as Black Panther and The Wild Robot, Lupita Nyongo has quickly become one of the box office’s biggest darlings. The Oscar-winning actress also has plenty of critical acclaim to go along with her commercial success, being massively celebrated for her roles in thrillers such as A Quiet Place: Day One, The 355, and Us.

In addition to portraying the protagonist of Us, Nyong’o also takes on the role of the villain Red, an unhinged yet sympathetic antagonist that acts as the film’s main driving force. The burden of this task is placed entirely on the gifted actress’ shoulders, and she portrays Red as simultaneously morally gray and relatable yet still utterly terrifying and threatening. As Bond villains have trended more and more towards gray morality, and the films have tried to explore more of the philosophical and ideological ideas of 007’s world, an actress like Lupita Nyong’o, well versed in exploring similar themes, could fit in expertly.

5 Jesse Plemons

Most Recently Seen in ‘Kinds of Kindness’ (2024)

Jesse Plemons excels at playing cold. The actor’s ability to portray hidden motivations and information while exuding a threatening air of faux formality has been crucial to memorable villain roles in films such as Judas and The Black Messiah and, most recently, Alex Garland‘s Civil War. Though often given limited roles in films, Plemons is always a highlight, especially in these haunting and unnerving villain roles with which he is quickly becoming associated.

In Civil War, Plemons’ character isn’t given a clear affiliation, backstory, or even a name; however, he has quickly become one of the most memorable parts of the film. In limited screen time, Plemons creates an extremely threatening antagonist, using his shrouded motivations to palpable and terrifying effect. Like the actors’ other villainous roles, this cold demeanor is made all the more terrifying when it drops, and bursts of emotions are let out at seemingly uncontrolled times. Given that the most thrilling James Bond movies often play out like unraveling mysteries, Jesse Plemons is a no-brainer for the villain.

4 Idris Elba

Most Recently Seen in ‘Hijack’ (2023)

The charming and suave Idris Elba has long been a fan favorite casting to play James Bond, but with the actor only four years younger than Daniel Craig and the fact that he no longer seems interested in the role, it’s likely that the world has missed out on seeing this version of its favorite secret agent. What is still on the table, however, is for the multi-talented actor to harness that charm for evil as what could become one of 007’s most intimidating foes.

Playing action baddies in films like Hobbs and Shaw proves that Elba still has the physical prowess to be a menace to whoever is cast as James Bond. Moreover, Elba has shown a remarkable understanding of villainous psychology in roles like Rufus Buck in The Harder They Fall or the truly terrifying Commandant in Beasts of No Nation. In the latter, Elba portrays a manipulative and callous villain with such shocking and hard-hitting realness that it can be genuinely difficult to watch. He would not have to go through those depths of visceral darkness for a Bond film, but having the option to, especially when contrasted with his opposite ability to be likable and charming, could create one truly memorable villain.

3 Paul Giamatti

Most Recently Seen in ‘The Holdovers’ (2023)

Paul Giamatti is one of the most talented character actors of all time. Be it in dramas like Sideways or comedies like The Holdovers, in both lead and supporting roles, Giamatti has shown a range so vast that he can slip into any role. Despite countless film credits, it is in television roles where Giamatti’s villainous chops really get a chance to shine, such as his role as the duplicitous, flip-flopping Chuck Rhoades in Billions.

The acclaimed actor has also expressed interest in the franchise, particularly specifying that he would prefer to play one of the more outlandish Bond villains. Having Paul Giamatti play an eccentric Bond villain with visions of world conquest may be the exact kind of silly throwback that the franchise needs after the dark and brooding Daniel Craig era. Of course, if Giamatti wants to play a villain with hidden depths, he has proven throughout his career that he is more than capable of being a sympathetic, shadowy nemesis. Perhaps the extremely gifted actor could even combine the two, taking a character like A View to a Kill‘s Max Zorin and adding the threatening simplicity of Casino Royale‘s Le Chiffre.

2 Pierce Brosnan

Most Recently Seen in ”The Unholy Trinity’ (2024)

James Bond has a notoriously loose canon. Fans have often debated many questions about his lore, but the movies themselves rightfully only ever pay lip service. One of the best options, then, for a villain who could effectively mirror or contrast whoever becomes the next 007 would be one of the previous actors to fill that role. Being old enough to be viewed nostalgically and yet young enough to still play an imposing villain, Pierce Brosnan is the perfect choice of an ex-Bond as a new villainous character.

Playing a master criminal in The Thomas Crown Affair, an outright evil villain in The World’s End, and even a sinister spy in The Fourth Protocol, Brosnan has showcased his ability to operate effectively on the other side of the law and could expand upon this streak as some new character in the James Bond mythos. Though the actor has kept up with action, if audiences are to believe any villain could take on 007, one of his former actors would help sell that illusion. Perhaps playing a fallen secret agent akin to Goldeneye‘s Alec Trevelyan would be the perfect balance of bringing back a familiar face in a new, twisted way.

1 Cate Blanchett

Most Recently Seen in ‘Borderlands’ (2024)

Coming off of her fourth Oscar nomination for TÁR, Cate Blanchett is one of the most celebrated actors of the twenty-first century and has only continued to collect acclaim and recognition. As James Bond looks to reset the status quo and reestablish itself as a franchise worth paying attention to, an entrenched actress such as Blanchett would lend not only massive amounts of credibility to Bond 26 but also excitement.

Garnering acclaim for playing all types of characters, Blanchett has played eccentric Bond-like villains in Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. She could easily slip into whatever status quo the next Bond lands upon with much-needed gravitas. Ironically, one of the most telling glimpses into how Cate Blanchett may fit into the intense espionage world of 007 may be one of her lesser-known roles in the 2011 Saoirse Ronan spy thriller Hanna. The Oscar winner plays her devious character with a haunting amount of cold efficiency, manipulative intelligence, and a commanding presence, all traits that could carry over to a prospective Bond villain role.

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