Scots star Stuart Martin appears to have unknowingly put himself forward as a contender for the next James Bond actor as Daniel Craig is set to be replaced as the 007 agent.
The 39-year-old from Ayrshire is not as well known as the other stars in the rumour mill for the coveted role but is said to have impressed bosses with his last decade of acting work.
Known for his roles in the Channel 4 show Babylon and historical dramas such as Medici: Masters of Florence, Jamestown and Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Stuart has reportedly been in ‘under the radar’ chats with Eon Productions, with sources claiming he is in ‘serious contention’ to take on the iconic spy agent part.
But it appears to be his tough guy role of Bradley Cage in Zack Snyder’s 2021 heist comedy Army of Thieves which has sparked the Bond interest, thanks to his impressive shoot out scenes which involved throwing himself at vehicles in high-octane stunts.
If selected, dad-of-two Stuart, who is married to his actress wife Lisa McGrillis, would come as the first Scottish James Bond since original star Sean Connery.
The late actor made his acting debut in Dr. No in 1962, with his accent prompting author Ian Fleming to write Scottish heritage into Bond’s past.
An LA movie consultant who has worked on the Bond franchise said: “Stuart is the name that has been discussed in Bond circles by those in the know.
“He is in serious contention. No-one will confirm this because Eon goes all out to deny and shy away from anything concerning casting, but it would be an amazing milestone to have a Scottish Bond again.”
The insider added that Stuart still has ‘hurdles to jump through’ including multiple meetings with Eon so they can ‘get a feel for his personality’.
They continued: “And let’s not forget, Eon doesn’t give a damn whether the man who lands the job is famous or not. It is about getting the man they want and who they feel is best suited for this life changing experience. It is more pressure, scrutiny and stress than any other movie role.”
It seems fans are also in agreement with many highlighting his 6’2 height, rugged looks and relatively small flame as key attributes for why he should be the next Bond.
A Reddit thread from three years ago see one person declare: “Stuart Martin is my pick… (seems to tick all the right boxes)” while a second added: “He seems to have about the same level of fame as Daniel Craig did when he was picked.”
A third wrote: “That rugged Scottish voice… he is perfect!!!!!”
Meanwhile, on Facebook, another fan exclaimed: “The best man by far for the role of the new James Bond is Scottish actor STUART MARTIN. The Scotsman would be an ideal Bond, very much in the style of the beloved Sir Sean Connery… He’s perfect in every respect to become the new 007!”
The news comes as the ongoing hunt for the next Bond continues with other reported names in the mix including Aaron Taylor Johnson, Callum Turner, James Norton and Paul Mescal.
Taylor-Johnson is said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Eon boss Barbara Broccoli in March 2022 but sources claim that bosses are now questioning whether he has the ‘credentials’ to play the spy after the dismal response to his latest film, Kraven the Hunter.
Daniel Craig played Bond for five films with his final performance coming in the latest film, No Time To Die in 2021.
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