Rumours about who will be the next James Bond begun to swirl around even before the release of "No Time To Die". So far, the actors who have played this beloved character managed to boast diabolical charisma and exude magnetic confidence. James Bond is meant to be a hardened spy, willing to go the distance for the sake of his country. Recently, Barbara Broccoli, long-time producer of the James Bond films, revealed that the next 007 will be a British man of any ethnicity. With a legacy that spans decades, Bond needs to be played by someone who can marry Ian Fleming's version of the iconic spy with contemporary elegance.

Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston are two people who are at the forefront of this discussion. With "Luther" and "Bastille Day", Elba has proved his ability to play a flawed character who has an unyielding temperament, making him an ideal match for the role. In fact, he recently signed a spy movie so he remains an obvious choice to play Bond.

Idris Elba

Hiddleston is not a far cry from the previous actors who have played Bond. He is undoubtedly one of Hollywood's finest artistes, but is he really the right choice for Bond? Sure, he is suave, his eyes can be deceiving, his comedic timing is a rare quality and I can even see him nail every action scene but Daniel Craig has served us enough of those. Moreover, Hiddleston is already dedicated to his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so he may not want to opt for yet another franchise.

Tom Hiddleston. Photos: AP

Next in line are more British heartthrobs like Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden, The Witcher's Henry Cavill and Venom's Tom Hardy. These are all household names who, if they were to play Bond, are already in the wheelhouse. I can imagine all of them portray the pensive look Bond is well-known for. However, if I had to vote, I would definitely choose Henry Cavill. He was magnificent in the Superman movies but his role as Geralt in "The Witcher" really blew my mind. For any bookworm, it is always unnerving to watch an adaptation. Cavill's acting was testament to his commitment to the role as it was apparent that he paid attention to every detail. He is someone who transform into the intricate quirks of the character can bring it to life.

Henry Cavill

Richard Madden

Given the fact that with every new Bond, the character evolves to fit the narrative of the current climate, it is best to stray away from traditional choices.

Dev Patel, Henry Golding, and Riz Ahmed are some amazing choices to play Bond in this new era. Patel has matured immensely from his days in the teen show "Skins". Although he has the perfect tools to give us the duality of rawness and control, I am not sure he has the much needed air of gravitas. On the other hand, Golding is someone who is perfect when it comes to non-committal humor and can make heads turn every time he enters a room. Ahmed is a brilliant actor who I can totally see as the invincible and wise-cracking hero, manipulating guns like a pro.

Tom Hardy

There have not been any talks about a woman taking over the role of James Bond and as a matter of fact, Daniel Craig himself said it is better if a new story is written for women instead of coercing Bond's storyline for them. So, may the best man win.