As we reach the middle of August 2026, it’s now very nearly seven long years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and drank his last vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) following the hugely -successful last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise. No spoliers, but it was quite the ending.
One thing we know for sure is that there will certainly be a sequel to No Time To Die - it will be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But there’s still no news on the final piece of the cinematic jigsaw - the actor who will take on the iconic role.
Whoever does will become 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.
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.
And Scot Jack Lowden is now one of the favourites after Richard Osman said on his The Rest is Entertainment podcast that he would “definitely” be the next James Bond.
Here are the 12 current leading 007 contenders and their chances of winning the part, according to bookmaker BetFred.
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9. Theo James - 16/1
'Divergent' series star Theo James' name hadn't been mentioned in relation to Bond until early this year, quickly rising to third favourite before his odds cooled and are now sitting at 16/1. Recently in cinemas starring in horror film 'The Monkey', he's critically-acclaimed for his performance in the television series 'The White Lotus, and has also recently played the lead role in Guy Ritchie's action comedy series 'The Gentlemen'. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
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10. Damson Idris - 20/1
Starting out as a theatre actor, Damson Idris found fame for playing Franklin Saint in the FX crime drama 'Snowfall' and Joshua Pearce in sports film 'F1'. He's a 20/1 shot to add the role of James Bond to his CV. | AFP via Getty Images
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11. Jacob Elordi - 20/1
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 seem to be lengthening though, now sitting at 20/1. | AFP via Getty Images
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12. Leo Suter - 20/1
A relative unknown, Leo Suter is also priced at 20/1 to play the world's most famous spy. His highest-profile performance to date is as Harald Sigurdsson in the Netflix series 'Vikings: Valhalla'. | Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images