Stage Actor Tom Francis Auditioning to Become the Next James Bond
The search may be winding down for the next James Bond star in the 007 film franchise. Actor Tom Francis, best known for appearing opposite Nicole Scherzinger in Jamie Lloyd’s unconventional revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, may be next up to order his martinis shaken, not stirred.
The 26-year-old British actor, whose career has primarily existed on stage, has auditioned to play James Bond. He’s one of many performers jockeying for the part in a casting process that is ongoing and being overseen by Nina Gold.
Other names that have been rumored, but not confirmed, include Jacob Elordi, the Oscar-nominated star of Frankenstein and Euphoria; Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has appeared in Godzilla and won a Golden Globe for Nocturnal Animals; and Callum Turner, who recently headlined Eternity opposite Elizabeth Olsen and is set to star alongside Monica Barbaro in One Night Only. Another name floated by an insider was Cosmo Jarvis of Shōgun, who had a breakout role in last year’s Alex Garland film Warfare. The actor, however, is said not to be in contention, per his rep.
Francis won an Olivier Award for his work in Sunset Boulevard and was nominated for a Tony Award. His performance of the title song saw him walking through New York City’s theater district as cameras captured his every move — a show-stopping theatrical moment that became a cultural event in the city.
Francis has only had a few big screen performances. He had a small role in Jay Kelly, the recent George Clooney film, but is set to appear in Peter Berg’s The Mosquito Bowl, a sports drama set in World War II that also features Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård. Francis made his TV debut in the final season of the Netflix series You.
What do you think of this possibility? Who is your top choice for the role?
via: Variety