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As we draw ever-closer to spring 2026 it has been well over six years (and counting) - since Daniel Craig starred in the memorable last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise.
We now at least know with certainty that there WILL be a sequel to Craig’s swansong performance in No Time To Die.
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has been announced as director, while Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight will be writing the script of the film.
Now it’s just the minor matter of finding the third main part of the jigsaw - the actor (or actress) who will take on the iconic role - and the casting should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
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.
Since Daniel Craig hung up his tux 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.
Here are the 11 current leading contenders according to the bookies.
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1. Jacob Elordi - 5/4
Jacob Elordi is now favourite to be cast as Bond for the first time, with his odds slashed from 20/1 to just 5/4 in the last month. He was recently Oscar nominated for his role as at the monster in 'Frankenstein' - the Guillermo del Toro film that was shot in Scotland. He would certainly be a buzzy choice for Bond after shooting to fame in 'Saltburn' - and is currently in cinemas in director Emerald Fennell's followup 'Wuthering Heights'. He'd be the second Australian James Bond after George Lazenby. | Getty Images
2. Callum Turner - 13/8
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner has been the hot favourite to step into 007's handmade shoes for a few months now but has now dropped down to second favourite. His odds are now just 13/8 - his longest for some time. 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 this month. | Getty Images
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3. 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 weeks, but he's still now third favourite at 5/1. Maybe it's the beard... | Getty Images for Lexus
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4. Henry Ashton - 8/1
A new name in the frame for 007 is English actor Henry Ashton. The star of 'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is now the 8/1 fourth favourite. | Getty Images