Henry Cavill was once in the running to become James Bond, but it slipped through his fingers to Daniel Craig. Following Craig’s final bow as 007 in No Time To Die, Cavill was once again part of talks about the next actor to play the iconic British superspy. While producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson keep mum on the next Bond, Cavill is ready to don the spy hat in Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle. And with that, this fueled speculation about whether Cavill’s dreams of joining the James Bond franchise were dashed. 

In a recent interview, the actor shared whether his chances of playing the next James Bond have hit a dead end. 

Henry Cavill had conflicting opinions on the matter

Amid the anticipation for James Bond 26, the codename for the next Bond film, Cavill opened up in a Total Film interview via Games Radar about whether his spy escapades in Argylle will hurt his 007 chances. The British actor underlined that the ultimate decision lies with the producers, stating it is “up to Barbara Broccoli and Mr. Wilson”. Cavill’s audition for Casino Royale is well-documented. During the early 2000s, he was in the running for the role but was considered too young.

Now, Cavill is pitted against contenders like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Norton, Papa Essiedu, and Regé-Jean Page for the upcoming James Bond. Despite Cavill playing his cards close to the chest when it comes to Bond or any under-the-table negotiations, there have been a lot of doubts about him playing the next 007. Since the days of Casino Royale, Cavill’s star power has only seen an upward trajectory. 

While this certainly boosts his candidacy for the James Bond role, there is a sizable monkey wrench in the gears that could jeopardize his prospects of securing this highly sought-after role. 

Can Cavill still play James Bond? 

Cavill may have been considered too young back in the early 2000s, but now, he is 40 years old. While this does not necessarily rule him out, reports are suggesting that the franchise producers are on the lookout for someone young this time. In the Bond universe, where a decade-long commitment is par for the course, the makers seem keen on finding an actor in their mid-30s. Nevertheless, Cavill is an actor who is picture-perfect for the role.

The actor embodies the quintessential Bond, ticking all the boxes that would normally make him an ideal fit. Unfortunately, Broccoli is calling for a “total reinvention” this time, hinting that the franchise might take a different turn moving forward. While Cavill is still not entirely off the table, the writing on the wall suggests that the stars might not be aligning in his favor this time around either. 

What do you think about Henry Cavill’s potential entry into the James Bond franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!