As we near the start of summer 2026, it’s been been well over six years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and gun holster following the last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise.
It has long been confirmed that there WILL be a sequel to Craig’s swansong performance in No Time To Die - with the film to be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
Next up it’s a matter of finding the third major part of the cinematic jigsaw - the actor who will take on the iconic role.
It will be a life-changing role for whoever takes it on and becomes only the eighth actor to play 007 following Sean Connery (the best, obviously), David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
There have been many different actors rumoured to be in the frame, led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson who had reportedly been offered the part (he clearly hadn’t).
All bets were off when Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
At movie-making trade show CinemaCon earlier this year Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, addressed the casting decision, explaining: “I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond. Don’t get too excited. Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Auditions have reportedly been taking place over recent weeks so an announcement could now only be weeks - or ever days - away.
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1. Tom Francis - 10/3
Tom Francis is the new favourite to take over as Bond after it was revealed he had auditioned for the part. He's best known as a stage actor having won the Olivier Award for Best Actor (and a Tony nomination) for starring in 'Sunset Boulevard'. He also played Romeo in jukebox musical '& Juliet', appeared in the final series of 'You' on the small screen and alongside George Clooney in Noah Baumbach's latest film 'Jay Kelly' on the big screen. | Getty Images
2. Callum Turner - 4/1
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner has been favourite for most of the last four months - but has now dropped down to the 4/1 joint second favourite to step into 007's handmade shoes. His most recent major television role was as Major John Egan in 'Masters of the Air' and he's recently been on the big screen in David Freyne's latest film 'Eternity'. His new film, 'Rosebush Pruning', sees him starring opposite Dua Lipa and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival - where he did little to dispel the 007 rumours. | Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
3. Harris Dickinson - 4/1
Harris Dickinson has had a string of acclaimed film roles in his short career to date, including 'Baby Girl', 'The King's Man', 'Triangle of Sadness', 'Where the Crawdads Sing', and 'The Iron Claw'. His directorial debut 'Urchin' premiered at the 2025 London Film Festival. His odds have been slashed in the last few weeks but he's now drifted out slightly to 4/1. | AFP via Getty Images
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4. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 5/1
'Kick-Ass' star Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemed to be a cert for the role of the world's most famous spy back in 2024 - some newspapers even suggested he had accepted the part. His odds have narrowed again slightly in the last couple of months, but he's still now down to joint fourth favourite at 5/1. Maybe it's the hair... | Getty Images