It’s now been more than four years since James Bond’s last outing in No Time To Die, but the 007 drought will be coming to an end.
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is now on board to direct a script written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight which will become the as-yet-untitled Bond 26.
But we still don’t know who will take on the title role and become the eighth actor to place the part following Sean Connery, 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, but 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 17 actors who now stand the best chance of taking on the part and enjoying their martinis shaken not stirred.
13. Aaron Pierre - 25/1
An actor who wasn't even in the frame at the start of the year, but who became one of the favourites to play 007, only to see his odds slide in recent months is Aaron Pierre. The English actor found fame in television scifi 'Krypton' and has gone on to star in films such as 'Old', 'Rebel Ridge' and 'Mufasa: The Lion King'. He's now priced at 25/1, having been as low as 5/1. | Getty Images
14. Sam C. Wilson - 25/1
'House of the Dragon' actor Sam C. Wilson has seen his odds steadily drop in recent months and is now 25/1 to bag the role. He'd certainly be a lesser known choice for the filmmakers. | Contributed
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15. Paddy Gibson - 33/1
Relatively unknown Irish actor Paddy Gibson became the short-lived favourite to become the next James Bond back in June. Technically, he's already played the British superspy - in computer game '007 First Light', which will be out next year. He's also starred as a young Dexter Morgan in the serial killer prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin'. His odds have now slid out to 33/1. | AFP via Getty Images
16. Emma Watson - 33/1
Technically Lashana Lynch is the first female 007, having taken on the code name when Daniel Craig retired in the last film. She's not credited as James Bond though, with 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson the lowest priced actress for the role - with odds of 33/1. | Getty Images