9 Actors of Color Who Could Totally Play James Bond

Next month, Daniel Craig returns to the role of James Bond in Spectre, the 24th flick in the franchise (and Craig’s fourth outing as 007). Craig has saidhe’s contracted for one more film and that he would keep going as Bond “as long as I’m physically able,” but that hasn’t stopped speculationabout who will replace him. Homeland‘sDamian Lewis is rumoredto be next in line, butmany fans are eagerto see someone otherthan a white guy take the iconic role.

Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond in the ’90s, said recentlythat while “there’s no reason why you cannot have a black James Bond,” he thinksthat the next Bond willbe white and male. And on Monday, Craig weighed in, saying, “The person should do the job and I don’t give a fuck what color their skin is.”Headded, “[A woman] is another story. But why not? Jasmine Bond?”

This comes after the writer Anthony Horowitz caused a stir by calling Idris Elba “too street” to play Bond, which inspired us totalk with Jamil Smithabout how Hollywood views some black actors as tough guys and others as nonthreatening.

So if a Bond of color is next, who should it be? Join mefor some well-intentioned objectification as Iplay casting director for the franchise. Because really, the main criteria forJames Bond are:be able to kick ass, look good with a close shave, and wear the hell out of a tux.

1. Idris Elba

Duh.

There’s lots of great photos of Idris Elba, but this one in Cannes feels like a Bond scene on the French Riviera.

(Valery Hache/Getty)

2. Chiwetel Ejiofor

He has serious acting chops (including an Oscar nod for his turn in 12 Years a Slave), the right accent, and is quite dashing. I might prefer him to Elba. But I also might not. They both will get a call-back. (H/T to@bklyn_betty)

Chiwetel Ejiofor

(Dave J Hogan/Getty)

3. Oscar Isaac

I’ve been a fan of Daniel Craig’s darker and moodier Bond, and Isaac proved that he canpull off existential angst in 2013’sInside Llewyn Davisand creepy menace in Ex Machina. And he’s been working on projects with a wide range of audiences, from this fall’sShow Me a Heroon HBO to the upcoming Star Wars:The Force Awakens. Fun fact: Isaacis half Guatemalan and half Cuban.

Oscar Isaac

(Christopher Polk/Getty)

4. Sendhil Ramamurthy

Best know for appearances on TV series like Heroes and Beauty and the Beast, Ramamurthy is also finding more roles in films like the upcoming A Momentary Lapse of Reason.Based on this photo alone we have to consider him, right?

I encourage you to do a deeper image dive for Sendhil Ramamurthy, but this still from Covert Affairs screams James Bond, doesn’t it?

(USA Network/Getty)

5. Jamie Foxx

He’s a class act and has a definite box office draw. I also just feel like he’s agood guy,you know?

Jamie Foxx

(Jason Kempin/Getty)

6. Daniel Henney

Henney has played everything from a romantic lead inShanghai Callingto a mutant inX Men Origins: Wolverine.He’s also a certified dreamboat/ex-model, so he makes the short list.

Daniel Henney

(Michael Tran/Getty)

7. Edgar Ramirez

Ramirez has appeared inserious Hollywood farelikeZero Dark Thirty,action series likeThe Bourne Ultimatumas well as a host of Spanish-language films. Plus, he speaks almost as many languages IRL as James Bond(Spanish, French, English, Italian, German).

Edgar Ramirez

(Jason LaVeris/Getty)

8. Sung Kang

Fans of theFast and Furiousseries know Kang as the street racerHan Seoul-Oh who joins Dom’s crew (shout out to Roxane.This list is kind of for you). His years of driving fast cars for the franchise is basically an extended audition to be James Bond.

Sung Kang

(Victor Decolongon/Getty)

9. Jesse Williams

I am not familiar with the Williams ouvre, which includes Grey’s Anatomyandfilms likeCabin in the WoodsandThe Butler.But I think we could at least call him in for a reading right? Those baby blues …

Jesse Williams

(Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty)

We want to know: who would you would like to see as James Bond? Tell us in the comments.