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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13. Damson Idris - 12/1
A lesser-known name whose odds have been as low as 9/2, Damson Idris is a best known for starring in crime drama Snowfall. He also played the lead role in Netflix sci-fi Outside the Wire. He's now slipped out to being a 12/1 shot. | Getty Images
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14. Anthony Boyle - 12/1
At the start of November 2025 the bookies reckoned that Anthony Boyle was the favourite for the spy role - and to become the first Northern Irish Bond. His odds have cooled slightly, but he's still a 12/1 shot - not bad when he wasn't even in the running just a few months ago. He found fame in London's West End, playing Scorpius Malfoy in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' (winning an Olivier Award). He's gained further prominence for playing Arthur Guiness in recent hit Netflix television drama 'The House of Guiness' - which is written by Steven Knight, who is already on board as scriptwriter on the new Bond film. | Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Found