There are a ton of fans out there intrigued with the notion of a James Bond film directed by Christopher Nolan.

Tom Hardy is in the camp of favorite actors who tend to pop up in most of Nolan’s films.

And in an interview with the Daily Beast, when asked about the idea of playing Bond, Hardy, 39, said this:

“You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone. But Chris Nolan, what a fantastic director for a Bond movie.” – Tom Hardy

Translation: Hardy wants Bond. And he wants Nolan to direct.

Suddenly, one onders if there isn’t a whole lot of gravity pushing that Bond momentum Nolan’s way.

Is it even possible?

Sony has completed it’s four-film distribution run, which culminated with the release of 2015’s SPECTRE. The rights are up for sale. And Warner Bros. is one of the few legitimate contenders.

I love the idea of Warner Bros. acquiring the rights. With a proven track-record of franchise hits, such as the Harry Potter series, and it’s willingness to explore risk-taking high concept cinema, like Mad Max: Fury Road, Warner Bros. seems like the right fit for a truly epic Bond film.

Nolan might have been born to direct a Bond flick.

Inception, really, is the audition. It feels like a Bond film in many ways, with espionage plotlines, expensive suits, tragic romance, thrilling action beats, and even ski sequences!

Nolan treats his films with class, and would be respectful of the history of the Bond franchise, with his visionary filmmaking prowess offering a fresh take on the material.

What intrigues me is the “next level” caliber Nolan can bring to Bond. Should they say to Nolan, “Have at it,” there could be the potential for Thunderball-level epic greatness.

It seems unlikely Nolan comes on board with Daniel Craig. And really, the producers should hold off on Nolan until they are ready to officially reboot. When that eventuality occurs, Hardy would be a natural choice, and a good one.

At 39, Hardy is the right age. He has the brute strength and the physicality. He isn’t always known for playing the “good guy” and this, I think, is a key ingredient for a modern Bond.

Craig himself was better known playing adversaries, such as Alex West in 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

I say this respectfully, because I’m a huge Bond fan, but there’s a hint of “assholishness” inherent in the actor the character of Bond requires. Like Craig, Hardy has that quality, which gives him his edge, the sense of danger, and yet there’s still a likability, a sex appeal.

But is Hardy too much of a wild-card? Rumor has it, he was challenging to work with at times on Mad Max: Fury Road, although in his defense, they weren’t exactly filming in paradise and did you see the blood bag and the face mask he had to wear and endure probably for weeks on end?

What happens, however, when Nolan finishes his epic Bond film then moves on? Will Hardy commit to doing 4 or 5 more with different filmmakers coming on board?

It certainly seems, though, that should Warner Bros. acquire the rights to the franchise, there’s a strong likelihood we’d see Nolan and Hardy team up for Bond.

If current rumors are true, there still may be one more Daniel Craig adventure on its way.  But then…?

by JERHOW

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