.jpg)
Last year, Bond fans received seismic news about the future of the classic British spy franchise: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson—the children of Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, the legendary producer of the original James Bond films—who have overseen the series since the ’90s, ceded creative control to Amazon Studios. (The streamer bought MGM, the studio which produces the Bond movies, back in 2022, but has now reportedly shelled out an additional $1 billion for the right to freely develop this particular cinematic universe on its own terms.)
Then, a few months later, it emerged that Denis Villeneuve, the Oscar-nominated helmer of the Dune franchise, would be in the director’s chair. After that, we got some more intel, thanks to a report in Deadline. Per sources, Villeneuve “will embark on the search [for an actor] next year [2026] when he completes production on Dune: Part Three.” He’s apparently after “a fresh face,” ideally “an unknown,” possibly “in his late 20s or early 30s.”
And yes, his—the new Bond will, reportedly, be male and someone who is “from the British isles.” This, naturally, rules out the likes of Timothée Chalamet and Jacob Elordi on account of their nationality; Lashana Lynch, on account of being a woman; and the slightly older Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Jamie Dornan, James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Theo James, and so on, too, in theory.
The new Bond could, however, be non-white. The publication’s sources admitted it was possible, with the main questions being: “Are they right for Bond? Are they right for the story that Villeneuve [is] telling?” But, they insisted, “the casting process has not begun.” With the current timeline, a new Bond will be found in 2026, filming will take place in 2027, and the 26th 007 movie will be released in 2028.
Back in November 2022, Nowhere Boy’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson emerged as a frontrunner after impressing Barbara Broccoli during a top-secret screen test, but now, another name has hit the headlines: Dua Lipa’s soon-to-be husband, Callum Turner, who’s apparently tipped to succeed Daniel Craig, per the Daily Mail. If a final decision has yet to be made, though, it could all still be up for grabs.
To that end, browse all the current contenders for the role below.
- Photo: Getty Images1/17
Callum Turner
Callum Turner as the next Bond? Honestly, it makes perfect sense. Dua Lipa’s husband-to-be is easy on the eyes and incredibly talented—just see his performances in Emma, Masters of the Air, and The Capture, the latter of which earned the Londoner a BAFTA TV nomination. He’s charming, has the natural swagger, and feels ripe for a major, star-making casting moment. Though not an unknown, he just about qualifies as a fresh face. Add to that the potential of a Dua cameo as a Bond girl, and her writing the new theme song? It’s a no-brainer.
- Photo: Getty Images2/17
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
The 28 Years Later star and previous frontrunner is accustomed to stunt work, and he showed his versatility in Nocturnal Animals (for which he garnered a Golden Globe as well as a BAFTA nomination). If he’s hardly a new face, we could easily see the High Wycombe-born actor donning a sharp suit and sidling up to a poker table.
- Photo: Getty Images3/17
Harris Dickinson
The 29-year-old Londoner is a brilliant actor—just see Beach Rats, Triangle of Sadness, Scrapper, Babygirl, and Urchin, the latter of which he also directed—and is highly respected, though not a total A-lister just yet. (That will surely change after he plays John Lennon in the upcoming Beatles biopics.) This makes him a highly compelling, almost Daniel Craig-esque choice: an indie darling making the leap to the mainstream in extraordinary fashion. I say bring it on.
- Photo: Getty Images4/17
Dev Patel
In his feature directorial debut—the high-octane, John Wick-esque Monkey Man—Patel proved he could throw punches, land high kicks, and navigate wild car chases with ease, which surely makes him a contender. He’s shown his range in everything from The Green Knight and The Personal History of David Copperfield to Lion, Slumdog Millionaire, and Skins, collectsing a BAFTA, SAG, Critics Choice Award, and Oscar nod along the way. He has the profile but would also be an inspired choice.
- Photo: Getty Images5/17
Daryl McCormack
The 32-year-old Irish actor who broke out with Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders, and Bad Sisters just exudes star power—and would be a highly charismatic pick. With two BAFTA nods under his belt, not to mention a coveted part in Rian Johnson’s buzzy new ensemble thriller Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, it’d be the perfect time for the Bond franchise to snag him.
- Photo: Getty Images6/17
Joseph Quinn
After winning millions of fans as Stranger Things’ wild Eddie Munson, the 31-year-old Londoner charmed critics with Hoard and then gave compelling, memorable turns in A Quiet Place: Day One, Gladiator II, Warfare, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He may not want to commit himself to another years-long franchise, but if he did, they’d be lucky to have him.
- Photo: Getty Images7/17
Finn Bennett
Quinn’s Warfare co-star Bennett is a magnetic onscreen presence you may recognize from True Detective: Night Country and Black Doves. He’s also due to appear in the latest Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, later this month. At 27, the London-born rising star is on the younger side, but in a year, that might be just right.
Photo: Getty Images8/17Regé-Jean Page
“If you’re a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown, that people regard well, then people start saying the ‘B’ word,” Bridgerton’s former leading man has said of the rumors that he could be the next James Bond. “It’s like a merit badge… I’m glad to have the badge, I’m glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge, but it’s a badge.” Sounds quite like 007-esque pragmatism, if you ask us.
- Photo: Getty Images9/17
Damson Idris
Back in 2020, the South Londoner—who’s starred in F1, Snowfall, Outside the Wire, and Swarm—admitted to British Vogue that he loves fashion “a little bit more than acting.” “All I wear is suits,” he said. “I love feeling like Bond.” It’s been that way since he was a child, he explained, adding that his mum would dress him in a three-piece and shiny gold shoes for birthday parties where he would be “twirling my apple juice thinking it was a martini.” Now, the 34-year-old’s name is in the mix for the role, and it’s no wonder—he’s an accomplished actor with experience making action blockbusters and an impeccably dressed front row regular to boot, frequently seen at Louis Vuitton and Prada.
Photo: Getty Images10/17Henry Golding
The British-Malaysian dreamboat could certainly make a bid to be the first Asian Bond. He was characteristically modest when asked about the speculation by British Vogue, saying: “Even to be in that conversation, it’s an honor, but it’s out of my hands.”
Photo: Getty Images11/17Robert Aramayo
As the politically-minded, half-Elven Elrond in Amazon’s big-budget blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the 33-year-old Hull native shot to prominence—and got those Bond rumors swirling with his charm and quiet heroism. He’s a dab hand with a sword—eagle-eyed viewers will also recognize him as the young Ned Stark from Game of Thrones—but could very well trade it in for a Walther PPK.
Photo: Getty Images12/17Jack Lowden
His turn as a floppy-haired young intelligence officer in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses has seen the gruff Scotsman enter the race, though when asked by British Vogue if he’d consider swapping River Cartwright’s low-key sweatshirts for a tuxedo and martini, he was coy. Of Daniel Craig, whom he grew up watching as 007, the actor said: “It’s going to take a long time to get him out of my head. Or anybody else’s.” Still, with his already impressive oeuvre across stage and screen—Mary Queen of Scots, Fighting with My Family, Small Axe, the 2013 production of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts, which earned him an Olivier Award—he’d be a worthy successor.
Photo: Getty Images13/17Paapa Essiedu
Already a stage veteran at 35, the supremely talented Londoner has delivered sensitive, nuanced performances in everything from The Miniaturist and Press to Michaela Coel’s virtuosic I May Destroy You. He entered the conversation when Danny Boyle, who was originally slated to direct the 25th Bond film, cited him as a potential successor to Craig—and who could blame him? Essiedu has the natural charisma as well as the range and depth required to propel the franchise into the future.
- Photo: Getty Images14/17
Paul Mescal
He dazzled us in a football kit and silver chain as the sensitive Connell in Normal People, and then sported swords and sandals in Gladiator II, but the Maynooth native looks equally good in black tie. At 29, he’s the right age, and he’d be a stellar choice. After featuring on a Digital Spy poll on who should be next to take on the role of Bond, he told the publication: “Would I play Bond? Yeah? I don’t know. If it ever came my way, we’d have a discussion about it... I don’t want to say yes or no. I am a massive fan, and will continue to be, regardless.”
Photo: Getty Images15/17Lucien Laviscount
When he first sauntered on screen in the second season of Netflix’s mega hit Emily in Paris, playing the British banker, Alfie, who sweeps our titular heroine (Lily Collins) off her feet, the Burnley-born actor radiated charisma—a quality that is crucial to playing Bond. He may not be a particularly high-profile choice, but he’d be an effortlessly debonair one.
Photo: Getty Images16/17Tom Holland
Having already played one iconic character in Spider-Man, Tom Holland has thrown his hat into the ring with 007-worthy confidence, telling Variety that “as a young British lad who loves cinema, I’d love to be James Bond. So, you know, I’m just putting that out there. I look pretty good in a suit.” Could we then have frequent Denis Villeneuve collaborator and Holland’s future wife, Zendaya, as a Bond girl, perhaps?
- Photo: Getty Images17/17
Daniel Kaluuya
Daniel Kaluuya’s performance in Get Out catapulted him to international recognition, and just four years later, Judas and the Black Messiah earned him an Oscar. The 36-year-old would be a brilliant choice.
