Michael Strahan, the famed NFL analyst and former New York Giant, has thrown his hat in the ring to become the next James Bond. Known for his Super Bowl victories and charismatic presence, Strahan made the comment during his latest appearance on Good Morning America where he was interviewed by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
Strahan’s remark, “You’re looking at him,” when asked if he would be interested, has sparked discussions across social media platforms, divided fans on whether the role should go to someone with Hollywood experience, or if Strahan, who is not British like many previous actors, would be a fresh and exciting pick for the iconic role.
The search for the next Bond has been intensifying since Daniel Craig stepped down from the prestigious role after his last portrayal of the titular character in No Time to Die back in 2021. With Amazon now having total creative control of the franchise following its acquisition of MGM, speculation about who might don the tuxedo next has proliferated wildly.
Various names have cropped up, from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Henry Cavill and James Norton, but none have solidified their status as frontrunners. At the recent Oscars, Joe Alwyn, of The Brutalist fame, was also approached about his interest in playing Bond, offering the comment, “Oh, wow. Who wouldn’t throw their hat in the ring? You know? If you’re offering!” This indicates the role’s alluring nature transcends beyond established Hollywood actors, feeling fresher contenders like Strahan, Alwyn, and even Taylor-Johnson are now vying for the coveted part.
Fans reacted to Strahan’s bold pitch with mixed responses. One user stated, “Holy s***. I’m in Mike. I’m in,” showcasing enthusiasm for the idea, whereas another questioned, “How’s Michael’s English accent?” clearly skeptical of Strahan’s potential performance. Some support the idea of Strahan inhabiting the character, commenting, “Why not him? It would be cool.”
Strahan's bid for the coveted role of 007 coincides with significant changes happening at Fox Sports where he’s known for his NFL coverage. Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson both recently had their contracts with the network expire and were not renewed following Super Bowl LIX. This shakeup raises questions about Strahan's future with the network and adds another layer to his motivation for seeking new roles.
Having been part of Fox Sports’ history for 31 years, veteran broadcaster Jimmy Johnson announced his retirement on March 3, after enjoying his run which included two Super Bowl championships and invaluable friendship on and off the screen shared with Strahan. Strahan took to social media to express his heartfelt sentiments about Johnson’s departure, saying, “It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you. You’re truly one of a kind and thanks for being you and gifting me with one of the best friendships anyone could ever ask for. Hope you enjoy fishing and drinking beers on the boat. You deserve it, love you Coach!” This camaraderie indicates Strahan has been preparing for new ventures post-Fox, and stepping up for the next Bond could be one of them.
After the Oscars aired their seven-minute musical tribute to Bond with various famous themes, interest surged surrounding the franchise. Amazon's acquisition of the rights also catalyzed heightened inspections from fans on the progression of the franchise.
One insider reportedly mentioned, “Perhaps, I do think it’s possible... if God had sent us a totally no-brainer Bond the last couple of years, then it might be a different situation,” signaling the producers’ search is still very much open and the quest for the next James Bond is still on at full throttle.
The future remains unclear, but with new names like Strahan stepping forward and key shifts happening at significant broadcasting outlets, the competition for 007’s tuxedo is heating up like never before. Will Strahan transition from NFL superstar to cinematic icon, or will the path lead to someone else? Regardless, the hunt for the next James Bond is anticipated to be one of the most intriguing chapters yet for the franchise.