A James Bond musical is on the way, and we have a few casting suggestions

 By 
Yohana Desta
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The name's Bond. James Bond....the Musical.

A 007 musical (imaginatively titled James Bond: The Musical) based on the iconic spy is one the way according to the Playbill. It will premiere either on Broadway or in Las Vegas, in late 2017 or early 2018.

It will be executive produced by Merry Saltzman, the daughter of late Bond film producer Harry Saltzman. He produced nine of the series' early espionage films, like Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. The book will be written by Dave Clarke, with music from country composer Jay Henry Weisz.

[seealso slug="james-bond-spectre-teaser-trailer"]

The musical will have an original storyline, feature "several Bond villains, plus some new ones" and introduce "our own Bond girl," producers told Playbill.

Though he's got theater experience, current Bond star Daniel Craig is busy shooting Spectre, the 24th film in the spy franchise. It's set for a Nov. 6 release.

So since he's busy, we've got some suggestions for who could play Bond on the stage. Yes, most of them are best known for big-screen roles -- but allow us, if you will, to do a little dream-casting:

1. Tom Hiddleston

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

He's got theater experience and possesses the most dapper English accent we've ever heard. He can't really sing, but he is Loki so it doesn't really matter.

2. Chiwetel Ejiofor

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He's British, a classically trained Shakespearean actor and he can sing. Ejiofor is currently racking up rave reviews for a play he's in right now. This is it. He is the perfect Bond.

3. Chris Pine

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The man can sing and fake an English accent pretty well. It also doesn't hurt that his face could make angels cry.

4. David Oyelowo

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The British actor is having a Moment, and we hope it never ends. He's a classically trained stage actor who got his start in the theater and wowed audiences last year with his performance in Selma.

5. Lee Pace

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Oh, did we catch you off guard with that one? Slowly, it starts to make more and more sense to you, doesn't it? Lee Pace would be a knockout Bond. Even though the Lord of the Rings actor is American (did you know that? You didn't know that), everyone thinks he's English. Plus, his brows alone are lethal weapons.

BONUS: Honorary Mentions

We can't cast everyone, but there are two gentlemen we must tip our hats to:

Neil Patrick Harris

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

He's the president of Broadway, right? No? Something like that? Whatever: NPH is a Tony winner and a constant fixture on the theater scene, so let's just put him in here somehow. He could be Bond, he could be the villain, he could be Moneypenny. It doesn't matter.

Idris Elba

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Idris Elba is the one true Bond. He deserves to be the actual film Bond, but we will allow him to also star in the musical -- so long as he can do both at the same time. He was born to play the iconic spy, and denying him the right to do so in every available medium is a crime against humanity.

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