Who Will Be The Next James Bond?
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.
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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.
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson
The 28 Years Later star and previous frontrunner is accustomed to stunt work, and showed his versatility in Nocturnal Animals (for which he garnered a Golden Globe as well as a BAFTA nomination). He’s hardly a new face, but we could easily see the High Wycombe-born actor donning a sharp suit and sidling up to a poker table.
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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.
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Dev Patel
In his feature directorial debut, the high-octane, John Wick-esque Monkey Man, the national treasure 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, collecting a BAFTA, SAG, Critics’ Choice Award and Oscar nod along the way. He has the profile but would also be an inspired choice.
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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.
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Joseph Quinn
After winning millions of fans as Stranger Things’s 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.
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Finn Bennett
Quinn’s Warfare co-star Bennett is a magnetic on-screen presence you may recognise 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.
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Regé-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 rumours 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.
