Ana de Armas gives her pick for the next James Bond

The search for the next James Bond continues, but Ana de Armas knows exactly who she would pick to play the secret agent. Of course, Ana de Armas has experience with the franchise as she played CIA agent Paloma in No Time to Die. While sitting down with Wired alongside Chris Evans to promote Ghosted, the actress was asked who should be the next Bond, and she replied… Paul Mescal.

Wired: Do you have someone you’d want to be the next Bond?

Chris Evans: I’ll do it.

Ana de Armas: Do you?

Evans: I thought you were going to say the next Bond girl. The joke would’ve been funnier then. Then you just said Bond.

De Armas: I think Paul Mescal should be the one.

Evans: Paul Mescal is great. I’m a big Aaron Taylor-Johnson guy.

Paul Mescal has a big career ahead of him; he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Aftersun, and he’s playing the lead in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel. Chris Evans’ pick of Aaron Taylor-Johnson has frequently been one of the top picks for the next James Bond, but until something more official is announced… it’s anyone’s game.

Finding someone who can devote themselves to the character for the next decade is challenging. Regarding the character’s age, James Bond producer Michael G. Wilson said, “We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn’t work. Remember, Bond’s already a veteran. He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.” At 27 years old, Paul Mescal might be a little too young for what they’ve envisioned for Bond. But by the time the next movie is ready to go, Mescal may have hit the big 3-0.

Ana de Armas can currently be seen starring alongside Chris Evans in Ghosted, a romantic action comedy which debuted on Apple TV+ today. The film follows salt-of-the-earth Cole (Evans) as he falls head over heels for enigmatic Sadie (Armas) — but then makes the shocking discovery that she’s a secret agent. Before they can decide on a second date, Cole and Sadie are swept away on an international adventure to save the world. You can check out a review from our own Alex Maidy right here.

What do you think of Ana de Armas’ pick of Paul Mescal for the next James Bond?