Is it just me, or should Sacha Baron Cohen be the next James Bond?

(Image credit: Netflix)

With 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:No Time To Die marking Daniel Craig’s final ou🐽ting as 007, a variety of candidates have bee𒉰n rumoured and suggested as his replacement: Richard Madden, Idris Elba, Dev Patel, James Norton…

But one name has been conspicuously a🅷bsent from t✤he conversation so far – one that could transform the James Bond franchise: Sacha Baron Cohen.

“What? The man responsible for Borat, Bruno, Ali G and [deep gasp] Grimsby?” I hear you howling. Yes, him. And no, I don’t hate James Bond, or Baron Cohen, or your eyes and ears, and wish to ⛦destroy them. I genuinely believe he would be an excellent 007. 

In the last decade, he has patiently pivoted from variations on his patented pantomime act into more challenging and dynamic roles. In 2011’s Hugo, he turned heads with an empathetic performance – one he swiftly followed up with an impressive turn in 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Les Misérables (2012).

(Image credit: Netflix)

However, what eventually convinced me of𒆙 his superspy credentials was his role as a different Mr. Cohen. In Netflix’s thriller series The Spy, he plays Eli Cohen, a ꧑real-life Israeli spy who in the 1960s managed to infiltrate the highest levels of Syrian government in true super-spy fashion. 

Yes, it takes a few minu𓃲tes to get used to the sight of Cohen in an entirely straight-faced, dramatic role; but with his comedic crutch removed, he is a revelation. Carrying a quality six-episode series full of classic spy-thriller intrigue with ease on his tall, capable shoulders, Baron Cohen oozes charm and flaunts his action chops. 

He even musters a fair bit of menace as Eli becomes an increasingly hardened spy who is so ܫimmersed in his mission that he begins to question his real identity and loyalties. The star received a Golden Globe nomination for the role, and deservedly so. 

Like many Bonds before him (Moore, Brosnan, almost Sam Neill), Baron Cohen could take skills acquired on TV, and add double-Oꦛ-sized bombast t✨o them. Plus, if a Moore-like comic touch were needed, Cohen could do that in his sleep.

Yes I know, someone like Richard Madden is𝔉 probably getting the role anyway. But I can’t help feeling Baron Cohen would bring something truly refreshing to Bond. Or i♑s it just me?

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Production Editor, Total Film

Erlingur Einarsson is a film reviewer and writer, lover of cinema, television, tractors, and basketball. Erlingur has worked at Future for Plc for five years now, having spent time as the Editor for Photoshop Creative, Operations Editor for Digital Camera World, and ꦇDeals Editor for Top Ten Reviews. Erlingur currently serves as the Production Editor for our friends over at Total Film magazine – you should expect to find his byline of film reviews and the hottest of takes.