It has now been well over six years - and counting - since Daniel Craig starred in the last instalment of the lucrative James Bond franchaise with his swansong performance in No Time To Die.
But we’re pretty sure that, as promised at the end of that film, 007 WILL be returning in 2027.
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has been announced as director, while Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight will be writing the script.
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 there can’t be long to go before the biggest casting news of 2026 is confirmed.
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 14 leading contenders as we head into 2026.
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5. Leo Suter - 7/1
Leo Suter only entered the running in the second half of 2025 and is now down to single figures - a 7/1 shot. His highest-profile performance to date is as Harald Sigurdsson in the Netflix series 'Vikings: Valhalla'. | Getty Images for Global Green an
6. James Nelson-Joyce - 8/1
James Nelson-Joyce came from nowhere to join the favourites to become Bond and now has odds of 8/1. 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
7. Jonathan Bailey - 12/1
A new-ish name in the running to become the next James Bond is Jonathan Bailey. He wasn't even being talked about for the role before mid-2025 but is now the 12/1 joint seventh favourite. He started his career on the stage, winning an Olivier Award, before rising to fame in television series 'Broadchurch'. He's now a big screen star, with roles in huge blockbusters like 'Wicked' and 'Jurassic World Rebirth'. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
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8. Harris Dickinson - 12/1
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 12/1 to make Bond his next career move. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images