To be fair, non-English actors have been seriously considered in the past, including Mel Gibson among other Australian actors, James Brolin, Adam West (!) and Burt Reynolds. I don't know if that is a pre-requisite, although it is the ideal.
Non English actors so far: Barry Nelson - USA Sean Connery - Scotland George Lazenby - Australia Timothy Dalton - Wales Pierce Brosnan - Ireland
At this moment if I was placing a bet, I'd put it on Richard Madden. He was excellent in The Bodyguard (Bodyguard (British TV series) - Wikipedia ) Richard Madden - Wikipedia
Not sold. Capable actor, but I've seen him in too much other stuff to buy him as Bond. I guess that didn't hurt Pierce Brosnan much...we'll see.
I can just imagine the bartender having to ask Tom Hardy's Bond three times how he wants his martini because he mumbles.
That's why it's called acting. It's this great art of convincingly portraying something or someone you are not. That's the craft.
I hope so. Sean was wonderful in that role. My great regret is that the Bond film with the best chase scenes, the best locations shoots, and probably the best script (OHMSS) didn't have Sean in the role. Had he been there, I think it would unquestionably be seen as the best of the franchise.
Tom Hardy was mentioned on one of the teen sites as a possibility. Wife & daughter are pleased about that. Don’t see it myself.