MADRID – Daniel Craig surprisingly said goodbye as 007 in 2021 in the 25th James Bond film and the search for a replacement has already started. The end of the film ‘No Time to Die’ is open so there can be a male, female, with African roots, gender neutral or … Spanish speaking James Bond. Suppose the producers choose an ‘espia español’ and ‘zero zero siete’ who could that be?
The chance is of course very small but who knows, if the new James (or Jane) Bond might be a woman or a James Bond with African roots, why not a James (or Juan) Bond from Spain? Spanish is a world language and Spanish-language series and movies are very popular thanks to Netflix, among others.
Below we list several Spanish popular male actors who could turn into 007 just like that (again, the chances are slim). We’ll skip Antonio Banderas (because of his age), Javier Bardem (once a Bond movie villain) and Santiago Segura (known as police officer Torrente).
The contenders
1. Mario Casas
Born 1986 in Galicia. This actor has now played roles in 15 films and 6 series, some of which can also be seen on Netflix. It is not known how good his English is, but it is known that he is in the list of 15 famous and handsome Spanish actors.
2. Jesus Castro
Born 1993 in Cadiz. They sometimes call him the Spanish Paul Newman because of his look. Netflix viewers may know him because of the Spanish series ‘Mar de plástico’ and the movie ‘La isla mínima’. The disadvantage of Jesus Castro (my name is Castro, Jesus Castro) is that he doesn’t have blue eyes like a James Bond should have.
3. Miguel ngel Silvestre
Born in 1982 in Castellon de la Plana. Known from several Netflix series and movies such as ‘Sense8’, ‘Narcos’ and ‘Sky Rojo’ and certainly handsome enough to play a James Bond with Spanish style. He speaks good English which is a plus for a British spy right?
4. Andrés Velencoso Segura
Born in 1978 in Tossa de Mar. Andrés once had an (almost) real Bond girl as a girlfriend, Kylie Minogue, but now he is known for his modeling work and much less for his acting (which is not so good).
5. Ruben Cortado
Born 1984 in Cuba. Ok, he is technically not a Spaniard but he should not be missing on this list. James Bond has often been to Cuba so that would be familiar territory for Rubén. Rubén is better known as a model for Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jaguar and Roberto Verino, among others, than as an actor … could be a downside.
6. Alex Gonzalez
Born in 1980 in Madrid. This actor is known for many Spanish series that have not been seen beyond the borders of Spain, but he has also played roles in the movie ‘X-Men’ and that is no stranger. So he is known as a superhero, but would he also be a good James Bond? In any case, at the age of 15 he studied English in the United Kingdom.
7. Maxi Iglesias
Born 1991 in Madrid. Known for his roles in Spanish television series and movies but little international experience. Still, because of his look, he could be a good Juan Bond. Still, some Netflix viewers may recognize him for roles in “Velvet,” “Paquita Salas,” Velvet Colección, “Valeria” and “La Cocinera de Castamar.”
8. Yon Gonzalez
Born 1986 in Guipuzcoa. Yon may be known to some readers for his roles in Spanish series that can be found on Netflix such as ‘Gran reserva’ and ‘Gran Hotel’. He even received an international award in New York.
9. Quim Gutierrez
Born in 1981 in Barcelona. This Spanish actor can be seen a lot on Netflix so a large international audience will know him from ‘El Vecino’ (The Neighbour) where he already plays a superhero, ‘Te quiero imbecil’ or ‘Primos’. However, he is a bit of a bumbling actor who doesn’t exude much confidence like Daniel Craig shall we say.
10. Dani Rovira
Born in 1980 in Malaga. If the producers of James Bond are looking for a comedic version of 007, Dani Rovira is the right place for them. This actor is very popular in Spain and known as a comedian or presenter, but he can also act in serious films. Would he be suitable as James Bond…. I have no idea, but the comic part is fine.
11. Javier Bardem
Recently it became known that the producers of the James Bond films think that an English spy should not be too young. Well that’s possible, Spain also has some older James Bond candidates such as 53-year-old Javier Bardem. The problem with this actor is that exactly ten years ago in 2012, he was also the villain in the movie ‘Skyfall’.
12. Antonio Banderas
Who doesn’t know this ‘Zorro’ actor. World-renowned and highly experienced with roles in dozens of Hollywood movies. Perhaps the 62-year-old Banderas is a bit too old for the James Bond saga, but at least he is a familiar face. And that can also work against him, James Bond is then too easily compared to ‘Zorro’ or ‘Evita’ or ‘Spy Kids’.