As we reach the end of the first month of 2026 it has been well over six years - and counting - since Daniel Craig starred in the last instalment of the lucrative James Bond franchaise.
But we now know with some 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 that seems likely to start filming this year with a possible late-2027 release date in cinemas.
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 12 leading contenders according to the bookies.
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9. Jack O'Connell - 14/1
'SAS: Rogue Heroes' star Jack O'Connell appeared in two of last year's most talked-about films - 'Sinners' and '28 Years Later'. He's currently in cinemas with acclaimed horror sequel '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'. He's now priced at 14/1 to don 007's tux. | Getty Images
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10. Henry Cavill - 16/1
He's already played 'Superman' and featured in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchaise, and Henry Cavill has been tipped as a possible James Bond since before Daniel Craig bagged the gig. He's not quite out of the running yet - with odds of 16/1 - but he may end up being talked about as the best Bond we never had. (See also: Clive Owen). | Getty Images
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11. Harris Dickinson - 16/1
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. He's also priced at 16/1 to make Bond his next career move. | Getty Images
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12. James Nelson-Joyce - 16/1
James Nelson-Joyce came from nowhere to join the favourites to become Bond but has now drifted out to 16/1 - double his odds of 8/1 just a couple of weeks ago. Known for playing tough guys he's appeared in the likes of 'The Nest', 'The Gold', 'Guy Ritchie's The Covenant' and 'This City Is Ours'. James Bond would be a huge step-up for an actor yet to find wide recognition. | Getty Images for BFI