As we reach the end of summer 2026, it’s now nearly seven years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and drank his last vodka martini following the hugely-successful last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise.
We’ve known for some time that there will be sequel to No Time To Die - directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But there’s still no news on who will take on the iconic role, becoming 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.
A couple of years ago it was reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the part but it turned out not to be the case.
His chances took a tumble 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.”
Apparently auditions are still ongoing, but it’s thought that the casting announcement will be made before the end of the year - at the very latest.
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1. Jack Barton - 9/4
Coming out of nowhere to be the new favourite to play James Bond, Jack Barton is now priced at just 9/4 to win the role of a lifetime. He's best known for playing David Nelson in the Netflix series 'Heartstopper' and also starred in 'SAS: Rogue Heroes'. | Getty Images for Netflix
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2. Jack Lowden - 5/2
Jack Lowden was an outside chance to become the next Bond but has had his odds slashed in recent days to become the favourite earlier this month. He's now dropped down to second favourite but still has short odds of 5/2. Equally at home on the stage or on the screen, Lowden first found fame in 2016 BBC miniseries of 'War & Peace' and has since starred in the likes of 'Dunkirk' and 'Mary Queen of Scots'. He's reached his biggest audience to date starring opposite Gary Oldman in acclaimed spy drama 'Slow Horses'. He'd be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery (who was, obviously, also the best). | Getty Images
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3. Callum Turner - 11/4
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner became favourite to play Bond following his recent marriage to pop star Dua Lipa. He's now the third most likely candidate to step into 007's handmade shoes with odds of 11/4. 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 his new wife and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival - where he did little to dispel the 007 rumours. Don't bet against Dua Lipa also bagging the prestigious Bond theme gig too. | Getty Images
4. Jacob Elordi - 11/2
The favourite to be a non-British Bond is Jacob Elordi, who was Oscar nominated earlier this year 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 made another splash in director Emerald Fennell's followup 'Wuthering Heights'. His odds have come in slightly over the last couple of weeks and now sit at 11/2. | AFP via Getty Images