James Bond fans are desperate to find a replacement for Daniel Craig, and it is said that a relatively unknown Scottish actor might be a “serious” contender.
While the identity of the upcoming lead actor is still a mystery, a significant development for the franchise has been revealed: Amazon MGM Studios has entered a deal with the Broccoli family, producer Michael Wilson, and the Broccoli family to transfer the rights to the movies’ creative rights.
Ayrshire-born Stuart Martin, who is rumored to be a big favorite for the prestigious role, is a star, but who is he? Many people speculated that the Scottish actor is going to be Craig’s replacement, despite the reports that he reportedly impressed producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Starring in lead roles for Channel 4 and Netflix, it came as a surprise, with the Scottish actor emerging as a new name in the running among the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, James Norton, and many others linked to the role. However, he might have a chance following reports that bosses were “eyeing” him for the role.
According to a Hollywood consultant with experience with the Bond films, “Stuart is the name that has been discussed in Bond circles by those in the know.” He would become the first Scottish Bond since Sean Connery if he were to become the next 007. Here’s all we know about him so far…
Life off-screen
Stuart is a 39-year-old actor from Ayrshire in Scotland. According to the Daily Record, he first took his first major acting role in 2014 while attending the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since 2015, he has met British actress Lisa McGrillis at a Christmas party at the National Theatre bar. They are believed to be living in London with their two children, a son and a daughter.
Lead roles
The actor made a splash on the scene in Channel 4’s comedy-drama ‘ Babylon ‘ back in 2014, playing PC Tony Forbes. From there, he snagged parts in historical epics like ‘ Medici: Masters of Florence ‘ and ‘ Jamestown. ‘ His stardom really rose when he took the role of DI William Wellington in the period drama “Miss Scarlet and The Duke,” which will continue to air for four rousing seasons until 2024.
He also took on the role of Den in Netflix’s sci-fi and action movie ‘ Rebel Moon’. However, Barbara Broccoli may have been drawn to Bond producer Barbara Broccoli’s interest in Bradley Cage’s tough guy boots in Zack Snyder’s rip-roaring 2021 film “Army of Thieves,” especially after those thrilling shootout scenes where Martin threw himself at cars in a show of stunts.
As Martin explained to Untitled Magazine, “Brad is a muscle head, so I was just smashing the gym and training in the months leading up to try and give him that look and feel.” For his role in “Army of Thieves,” Martin had to transform into a genuine action figure.
He also addressed Lewis Magazine about the incredible experience of working on set, saying, “We got to do some really cool stuff with some of the heists.” We were filmed by our stunt director attempting to do bizarre stunts, jumping into moving vans, and doing it in the air.
Martin isn’t slowing down either as he’s working on the upcoming drama “In Flight,” which is scheduled to premiere later this year on Channel 4.
Bond rumours
Industry insiders murmur that Martin’s work on ‘ Army of Thieves ‘ and ‘ Rebel Moon ‘ (2023), which is also directed by Zack Synder, showcase an impressive resume of action sequences, significantly boosting his chances with 007 bosses. Stuart is the name that has been discussed in Bond circles by those who are familiar with the film industry and an LA consultant who has worked on the Bond franchise.
“He is in serious contention. Because Eon goes to great lengths to refute and shy away from casting, no one will be able to confirm this. However, it would be an amazing achievement to have a Scottish Bond once more.
The insider also mentioned that while Stuart is a frontrunner, he still has ‘ hurdles to jump through’, including various meetings so that Eon can ‘ get a feel for his personality’. They elaborated further: “And let’s not forget, Eon doesn’t give a damn whether the man who lands the job is famous or not. It’s about obtaining the man they want and choosing the ideal partner for this transformative encounter. It is more pressure, scrutiny and stress than any other movie role”.
It comes as Eon boss Barbara Broccoli reportedly watched as Aaron Taylor Johnson reportedly completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios in March 2022. Despite the lackluster reviews of his most recent film, “Kraven the Hunter,” it’s said that producers have doubts about his “credibility” for the iconic role.
Do you have a story to share? Email niamh. kirk@reachplc.com
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply