The search for the next James Bond has been the subject of endless speculation for years, and now, with major changes underway in the franchise, fans’ favorite choice might finally get a shot at the iconic role. Recently, Amazon MGM Studios — which now oversees the legendary 007 franchise — shook up the James Bond universe by taking full creative control of the series. While some fans are uncertain about the transition, others are excited about what the future holds. One question that’s been on everyone’s minds is: Who will be the next James Bond?

As expected, the names of several actors have been floated around, including Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hardy, along with a few new faces such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson. But despite the rotating list of potential candidates, one name still dominates internet fancasts and online polls: Henry Cavill.

Cavill, best known for his portrayal of Superman in the DC Extended Universe, has long been the internet’s top pick for the role of 007. His name has been tied to the part for years, and fans have made it clear on social media that they believe he has the perfect blend of charm, strength, and charisma to fill the shoes of the legendary British spy.

One of the most popular replies to an online poll conducted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, asking who should be the next Bond, was simply: “Can we all agree that Henry Cavill would be the best James Bond?” Cavill himself addressed this long-running desire for him to take on the role last year during a press tour for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. When asked about the possibility, Cavill admitted that he was in the dark just as much as anyone else.

“I have no idea,” Cavill said. “All I’ve got to go off is the rumors. The same information you have. Maybe I’m too old now, maybe I’m not, we’ll see. It’s up to Barbara Broccoli and Mike Wilson, but we’ll see what their plans are.”

Despite the uncertainty, many Bond fans remain hopeful that Cavill could finally get his shot at the role. The actor’s past audition for Casino Royale in 2006 showed that he was in the running at one point, with director Martin Campbell noting that Cavill’s performance was strong. However, the role ultimately went to Daniel Craig, who was a better fit at the time.

Campbell praised Cavill’s physicality, saying, “He looked great. His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond.” But Campbell also mentioned that Cavill, who was relatively young at the time, didn’t quite have the experience needed for the role. Fast forward to today, and Cavill is 41 years old — the same age Craig was when he began his 15-year tenure. If Cavill were to take on the role now, he would be 56 by the end of a similar run. But could age become a factor in the final decision?

While some fans believe Cavill is still the perfect candidate, others are starting to question whether Amazon and the Broccoli family will opt for a younger actor to carry Bond into the next generation. Mark O’Connell, a Bond superfan and author of Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan, believes that the next Bond will likely be younger, as evidenced by the growing list of young contenders. Actors such as Josh O’Connor, Paul Mescal, and Kingsley Ben-Adir are all being considered, with some fans predicting that Amazon will aim for a fresh, younger take on the character.

O’Connor, who has been rumored to be a frontrunner for the role, has spoken about the speculation surrounding his name, joking that if he were to be cast as Bond, he wouldn’t even know about it. While O’Connor would undoubtedly bring a new layer of depth and softness to the character, the casting of a younger Bond could change the dynamic of the entire franchise.

Ultimately, the decision will be made by the Broccoli family and the team behind the James Bond series, but one thing is clear: Henry Cavill continues to be the fan-favorite pick for 007. Whether or not his time has finally come remains to be seen, but as the franchise enters a new era under Amazon’s leadership, the possibilities for the future of Bond are more exciting than ever. Fans around the world are holding their breath, hoping that the long-awaited casting of Henry Cavill as James Bond is closer than ever before.