The ongoing search for the next James Bond has thrown many names into the ring. One actor who’s risen to the top of the pile recently though is Scottish star Richard Madden. Someone rooting for him to get the role is filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, who knows a little something about the spy movie genre from directing the Kingsman films. In fact, if Madden did end up getting the highly-coveted part, Vaughn might be interesting in helming a Bond film himself.
While speaking with Screen Rant about the buzz for Madden as 007, Vaughn showed that he thinks the actor would make a terrific successor to fill Daniel Craig’s shoes by throwing his ring into the hat to direct his inaugural movie as England’s greatest spy (sorry, Eggsy).
“If Madden plays Bond, I’m maybe even interested in directing it.”
Since appearing on Game of Thrones as Robb Stark, Madden’s career has really exploded. He starred in the BBC’s hit series Bodyguard, appears alongside Taron Egerton in Rocketman (produced by Vaughn) and may even be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon as Ikarus in The Eternals. Funnily enough, Madden is also set to star opposite another fan-favorite choice to play Bond, Idris Elba in Bastille Day.
Much of the speculation over who could be the next Bond is likely hot air, but Madden genuinely could be in with a chance as producers are said to be looking for a Scottish actor to take over from Craig. The feeling is presumably that they want to go back to the drawing board with the character. Ian Fleming’s literary creation is of Scottish heritage, after all, something that’s worked into the films in 2013’s Skyfall. And, of course, the first and best Bond, Sean Connery, was a Scot, too.
But before we get a new 007, Daniel Craig has to finish filming Bond 25, his final outing as James Bond, which is scheduled for release on April 8th, 2020.
