James Bond fans call for The Gentleman star to be next 007 after casting rumours

'They're missing a trick if he isn't cast as James Bond'

And this week, the rumour mill was in overdrive after reports emerged that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been 'formally offered' the role and was due to sign a contract imminently.

Bond producers were quick to try and shut down the reports, but the discussion and debate around who the next Bond will be isn't going to go away any time soon.

Some fans reckon there's a better contender for the role than Taylor-Johnson though, and have been urging producers to make Theo James the next 007.

The actor is the star of Guy Ritchie's new Netflix series, The Gentlemen, which is a spinoff of the British director’s hugely popular 2019 film of the same name.

In the series, James stars as main character Eddie Horniman, who inherits his late father’s country estate only to discover that it is actually home to a cannabis empire.

And after watching a few episodes of the comedy drama series, a number of fans reckon James has what it takes to be the next James Bond.

One person wrote: "Watching The Gentlemen on Netflix (which is brilliant by the way) and I can’t unsee Theo James as James Bond. Can’t believe I’m saying it, but it’s now bloody obvious."

Another said: "Watching 'The Gentlemen' on Netflix, I think I see a future James Bond. Theo James."

A third commented: "Watched The Gentlemen series and it was good. What was just standing out for me us Theo James is clearly the only candidate for the next James Bond so what's the hold up?"

And someone else wrote: "I have seen enough footage for Theo James to be the next James Bond."

Someone else said Bond producers were "missing a trick if Theo James isn't cast as James Bond."

Along with his role in The Gentlemen, James has also had starring roles in the Divergent film series and HBO's hugely popular dark comedy drama The White Lotus.

Only time will tell if he's caught the eye of the Bond producers.

Despite the reports this week, it may be wise to not get your hopes up about a Bond decision anytime soon.

Back in 2022, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson spoke about what they were looking for in the next actor to take on the role, but made it clear they wouldn’t be rushing the decision.

The Gentlemen is available to watch now on Netflix in the UK and Ireland.

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