James Corden: Will he take over as 'Late Late Show' host?

Actor James Corden may replace “Late Late Show” host Craig Ferguson when Ferguson departs at the end of 2014.

Unnamed sources told TheWrap that Corden is officially set to replace Ferguson; according to the Hollywood Reporter, unnamed sources told the outlet that “the network is circling” Corden. CBS has so far declined to comment, according to both TheWrap and the Hollywood Reporter, and Corden’s representatives have not yet commented, according to the BBC. 

Corden won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2012 for his work in the show “One Man, Two Guvnors” and starred in the 2007 BBC comedy “Gavin and Stacey,” which he also co-created. He recently appeared in this summer’s musical movie “Begin Again,” starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, and is set to star as the Baker in the big-screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods,” which will be released this December.

He has hosted the UK’s BRIT Awards multiple times and, as noted by the BBC, hosted “James Corden’s World Cup Live” in 2010, an ITV talk show on which guests such as Simon Cowell and Katy Perry appeared. 

“Late Late” debuted in 1995 with host Tom Snyder, who was then succeeded by Craig Kilborn. Ferguson took over the show in 2005 and announced this past April that he would be departing the show. David Letterman, the host of the “Late Show” that airs before Ferguson’s program, had said earlier that month that he would be departing.

TheWrap writer Jeff Sneider was enthusiastic about the possibility of Corden taking the job, telling the BBC that if Corden was selected, it would make “a lot of sense.” 

“He's got a really good personality, a comedy background, can write his own material, is a song and dance man and he's got a lot of heat right now with [the movie] ‘Into The Woods,’” Sneider said, and noted in his own article that “while Corden might not be a household name in the U.S., he boasts a sizable social media presence with more than 4 million Twitter followers, which could bring a modern edge to the show.”

Hollywood Reporter writer Philiana Ng agreed, writing that “Though not well known in the U.S., Corden has a massive following in the U.K. and on social media... That edge could transition CBS' late-night block to the current landscape and become a viable competitor to NBC's heavily social media presence for Tonight Show and Late Night.”

Meanwhile, there are already “Who is James Corden?” articles by Entertainment Weekly, Vulture, and E!, among others.