James Bond Should Be Directed by Christopher Nolan, Says Tom Hardy

Despite the huge popularity of the James Bond series, it is currently unknown when the next movie will arrive--and who exactly will be playing 007. The latest actor to be linked with the role is Tom Hardy, who has now revealed that he would love director Christopher Nolan to tackle the series.

While promoting his new TV show Taboo, Hardy was asked about the possibility of playing Bond if Daniel Craig decides to step away. "You know, there's a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you're automatically out of the race," he said, he told The Daily Beast. "So I can't possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it's gone."

Hardy did however state that Christopher Nolan, who directed him in The Dark Knight Rises and Inception, would be a great choice to helm the next movie.

"Chris Nolan, what a fantastic director for a Bond movie," he said. "Because Daniel is so good, and what [director Sam] Mendes and Barbara [Broccoli, producer] have done has been so impressive, that it would be a very hard re-imagination to follow after.

"I wonder what the next installment of that franchise would become, and I think when you mention someone like Christopher Nolan, that's a very powerful figure to bring into that world who could bring something new and create something profound... again."

There has been much speculation over the past year that Craig might not return for a fifth Bond movie. In September it was rumored that Sony had offered him $150 million to play the iconic secret agent for another two films, which would be shot back-to-back. Craig later suggested that he was still open to playing the role, stating: "As far as I'm concerned, I've got the best job in the world. I'll keep doing it as long as I still get a kick out of it."

Nevertheless, there has been no release date set for the next adventure, and neither Craig or the studio have stated whether the star will play 007 again.