Henry Cavill has seemingly ruled himself out as the new James Bond, but he’s not closing the door on the franchise entirely.
In a new interview with Heat magazine, Cavill said he doesn’t think he’s the right age to launch a fresh run as 007.
“I didn’t turn the role down, it just wasn’t the right time. What actor wouldn’t love to be Bond? But at 42, I’d probably be considered a bit old to start now.” He then added, “I would love to be a Bond villain, though. If it was the right character, I think that would be fascinating to explore.”
Henry Cavill came close to Bond before
Of course, this isn’t the first time Cavill’s name has been tied to Bond. He was one of the actors in the mix years ago before Daniel Craig landed Casino Royale, so the speculation has followed him for a long time.
Now, Cavill himself is making it sound like the Bond role has passed him by. At the same time, his comments about playing a villain could instantly spark new interest, as plenty of fans would probably line up to see Cavill show up on the other side of 007.
Amazon’s Bond reboot keeps the rumor mill going
The timing of Cavill’s comments also stands out because Amazon MGM’s Bond reboot remains one of Hollywood’s biggest casting mysteries.
Rumors have recently linked names like Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner to the role, but a reported talent agent told The Wrap that anything being said right now is premature until a script is finished and proper screen tests happen.
There has also been chatter that the studio wants to go younger with the next Bond, with speculation pointing to someone in the late-20s to early-30s range. That would obviously make Cavill an unlikely choice for a full reboot, even if he still looks the part.
A Bond villain may now make more sense
Cavill as Bond may be off the table, but Cavill as a Bond villain is a different story.
Honestly, that might be the more interesting option at this point. He has the screen presence, the physicality, and the polish to play a major 007 bad guy, especially in a reboot where Amazon appears to be looking for a fresh start.
So while Henry Cavill may be out as James Bond, he may have just pitched himself for the next best thing.
