Who should be the next James Bond?

The James Bond film franchise has spanned over five decades, starting with 1962's Dr. No, with six different actors playing the role of Agent 007. Though the current Bond, Daniel Craig, is back this week in Spectre and is still contracted to do a fifth film, there has already been much talk about his potential successor.

Shaken not stirred, here are ten actors that could take on the role of Bond, James Bond.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

An established and respected actor of both television and film, Chiwetel Ejiofor has proven to be successful in both drama and action, as seen in films like 12 Years a Slave, The Martian, American Gangster, and Serenity. Efiofer is a leading man who's fit to handle the charisma and physicality of the role, and his past experience has proven that he can give grounded and intense performances, perfect for Bond's sensibilities.

Jude Law

A veteran actor who's starred in a vast array of films and proven to be one of the most versatile actors industry with roles that have included the charismatic Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley, the intense soldier Inman in Cold Mountain, the evil Maguire in Road to Perdition and John Watson in Sherlock Holmes. An actor as flexible as Law could easily capture 007, and his experience in drama could well match the strong performance by Daniel Craig.

James McAvoy

Though he's perhaps best known for his portrayal of Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, James McAvoy has done his fair share of romance in Atonement, as well as some grittier roles in such films as Filth, Trance and the criminally underrated Welcome to the Punch. Well-versed in the romance and complexity required for James Bond, McAvoy has also established himself with the ability to breathe new life into iconic characters.

Gerald Butler

Perhaps one of this generation's finest action stars, Gerald Butler has turned in a number of action performances in such films as Olympus Has Fallen, 300, RocknRolla and Machine Gun Preacher. While it's easy to get typecast in these roles, Butler makes each role different and can even elevate weak source material. Bond is a physical role for any actor, and Butler would fit the bill in that regard.

Charlie Cox

Fresh off of the success of Marvel's well-received Daredevil, Charlie Cox also received acclaim for his more intimate work in The Theory of Everything, as well as the sic-fi epic Stardust. At 32, Cox would be a younger and less grizzled 007, but he certainly has proven he can handle a wide range of emotions, and his youthful spirit would add a new perspective that's yet to be seen in the franchise.

David Oyelowo

Despite having a more limited resume in comparison to other actors in contention, David Oyelowo has proven to be an incredible performer through last year's rousing performance as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, as well as having some good action experience in Interstellar, Red Tails, Jack Reacher and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Oyelowo's ability to add charisma and depth to historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., or even antagonists (as was the case in A Most Violent Year) should translate well to playing Bond.

Jack O'Connell

One of the industry's rising stars, Jack O'Connell has starred in such films as the prison drama Starred Up, the action-thriller '71 and the historical epic Unbroken. O'Connell has shown diversity in his roles, and his darker and more intense performances have prepared him for a darker interpretation of 007 that would be more in line with Daniel Craig than Roger Moore.

Idris Elba

Considered a favorite for the role throughout Craig's tenure as 007, Idris Elba is a renowned actor known for his portrayal of the titular roles in Luther and Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, as well as action roles in Prometheus and Thor. Elba has a gravity to him that comes from his portrayal of dramatic roles, especially in this year's Beasts of No Nation. But despite that darkness, Elba has a suave nature seen in his heroic roles that would perfectly fit Bond. The character of Bond is inherently dark, and Elba's talents as an actor would fit in with the darker version of the character originally envisioned by Ian Fleming.

Ewan McGregor

Originally considered for the role in 2006's Casino Royale, Ewan McGregor is an actor of immense range, having played parts that have perfectly prepared him for the role. Bond's romantic side has been integral to the franchise, and McGregor has excelled in believable romance in Beginners, Big Fish, and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. He's also shown immense physicality in Black Hawk Down. The variety of McGregor's roles over the years, which includes a fair amount of comedy and drama, perfectly prepares him to play the charismatic super spy.

Michael Fassbender

Out of all of today's actors, the man best suited for the role as the next James Bond is Michael Fassbender. One of the brightest talents in the industry, Fassbender has been unflinching in his selection of roles, ranging from this year's transformative role in Steve Jobs, the chilling villain Magneto in the X-Men series, the grounded and terrifying slave owner in 12 Years a Slave, the absurd titular musician Frank and the pragmatic gunslinger Silas Selleck in Slow West. Though he's a well-known name, Fassbender's natural charisma and dedication to his roles make him the perfect choice to play the next James Bond.