Just hours after it was revealed that the keys to closely-guarded James Bond franchise had been handed to Amazon-MGM, its new custodian asked fans to nominate their next 007.

Amazon owner Jeff Bezos asked a simple question in a post on X on Friday: “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?”

Within hours dozens of names were thrown at the tech billionaire, but two clear favourites stood out – Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill.

Bond fans already frustrated by the longest-ever wait for the next instalment of the 63-year-old franchise – and the producers’ inability to name  a replacement for Daniel Craig as 007 – were sent into a panic at the news that Amazon had assumed creative control.

On Friday Michael G Wilson and his step-sister Barbara Broccoli announced they would hand over the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control.

The James Bond franchise, based on the spy created by novelist Ian Fleming, includes 25 films and began with Dr No in 1962.

It is considered one of the most successful film franchises in history,  grossing more than $US7 billion ($11 billion) at the box office.

Since the Daniel Craig-era of 007 concluded with 2021’s No Time to Die, Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond and a future lead.

If Bezos was serious about his question to fans, the problem of identifying a replacement may have become a lot easier.

While names like Michael Fassbender, Matthew Goode, James McEvoy, Idris Elba, Cillian Murphy and even Timothée Chalamet were all posted, Hardy and Cavill clearly had the most support.

Both Hardy, 47, and Cavill, 41, are no strangers to action roles.

While Cavill has proven his leading man abilities as DC’s Superman, along with his fighting abilities as Geralt in Netflix hit The Witcher. He also has the dangerously debonair looks of earlier bonds like Sean Connery and Roger Moore.

Hardy, meanwhile, has displayed a gritty quality that could be more in keeping with the tougher 007 arc introduced with Daniel Craig’s Bond.

He roles as Max Rockatansky in Mad Max: Fury Road, Eddie Brock in the Marvel Venom movies and the ruthless gang boss Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders could be the Bond that Bezos is looking for.

Hardy can definitely do a gritty Bond. Photo: Roadshow Entertainment

Not to mention former model Hardy could also be the Bond ‘lady killer’ and his portrayal of spitfire pilot Farrier in 2017’s Dunkirk had plenty of British stiff upper lip.

While the two actors are older than Craig when he assumed the 007 mantle at 38, they not unrealistic choices.

Roger Moore was 46 when he succeeded Australia’s own George Lazenby in the role with Live and Let Die in 1973, and went on to make six more Bond movies before making way for a 41-year-old Timothy Dalton after 1985’s A View to a Kill.

Cavill could return Bond to the Connery and Moore 007s. Photo: Getty

Fan concerns

While a swift decision on the next Bond will satisfy many fans, concerns still remain.

Brocoli and Wilson have jealously guarded the integrity of the Bond franchise for decades, insisting the stories remain British and as feature films only.

Amazon as openly been pushing to expand the Bond universe into spin off ‘content’. 

With Amazon’s Prime Video available as a platform, it is likely there will be direct-to-streaming Bond shows, including prequels and spinoffs previously forbidden – think Disney’s acquisition and treatment of the Star Wars ‘universe’.

While the prospect of an expanded Bond world could ensure the future of the ageing franchise, there are concerns it could dilute the brand.