Elden Ring Star Reportedly in the Running to Be the Next James Bond

Remember that time you fought Messmer the Impaler in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion? Well, the voice behind that fiery boss might just be trading in his spear for a Walther PPK. Reports are swirling that Jack Barton, the actor who brought Messmer to life, is now in the running to become the next James Bond.

PageSix reports that Bond 26 director Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold are looking at a 'stream of unknowns' to take on the iconic role. Barton is one of those names, and he's reportedly set to do a screen test alongside other contenders like Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Harris Dickson. These tests are said to kick off in early September.

But who is Jack Barton, you ask? Well, besides being the voice of a terrifying demigod in the Lands Between, his acting resume is pretty impressive. He's appeared in Steven Knight's SAS: Rogue Heroes and the TV adaptation of War of the Worlds. On the big screen, he had a role in Yorgos Lanthimos' Oscar-winning film Poor Things (2023). So yeah, the guy's got range.

This isn't the first time a video game actor has been linked to the Bond role. Earlier reports suggested that Battlefield 1's Jack Lowden was also in the mix. It seems like the search for the next 007 is casting a wide net, and gamers might have a special connection to whichever actor lands the role.

The hunt for the new Bond has been a long one. No Time to Die, the last film starring Daniel Craig, hit theaters back in 2021, and fans have been eagerly waiting for news ever since. Amazon MGM Studios, which now owns the franchise, has been tight-lipped about the casting process, only confirming back in May that the search was underway.

And with Denis Villeneuve at the helm, the next Bond film is already generating serious hype. Villeneuve, known for the Dune franchise, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, brings a level of cinematic gravitas that could redefine the spy series. So, could we see the actor who voiced a boss in Elden Ring starring in a Villeneuve-directed Bond flick? Only time will tell.

What do you think? Would Jack Barton make a good James Bond, or should they stick with a more traditional choice? Let us know in the comments below!