It’s four years since Daniel Craig starred in the last James Bond No Time To Die, and we now know the next film will be directed by Canadian Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But, depite years of rumour and gossip, we still don’t know who will be playing the world’s most famous spy - in ‘Bond 26’.
It had been though that the role had been bagged by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but the recruitment process was thrown into turmoil after Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have effectively handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
In recent months several star names have led the pack, with the race too close to call at the moment.
With the announcement imminent, we’re looking at the 12 actors with the best chance of playing 007 - with three in particular now leading the charge.
5. Jack O'Connell - 14/1
The biggest mover in recent days is 'Sinners' and 'SAS: Rogue Heroes' star Jack O'Connell. He wasn't even being mentioned for the role 10 days ago, but has now shot up to being the 14/1 fifth favourite to don 007's tux. | Getty Images for Jaeger-LeCoultr
6. Jack Lowden - 18/1
Equally at home on the stage or on the screen, Scot Jack Lowden first found fame in 2016 BBC miniseries of 'War & Peace' and has since starred in the likes of 'Dunkirk' and 'Mary Queen of Scots'. He's reached his biggest audience to date starring opposite Gary Oldman in acclaimed spy drama 'Slow Horses' and is set to play Mr. Darcy in Netflix's upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. His odds are lengthening - from 9/1 a couple of weeks ago to 18/1 today to be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery. | Getty Images
7. Harris Dickinson - 20/1
Recently starring alongside Nicole Kidman in an eye-opening role in 'Babygirl', Harris Dickinson is in the frame to play both Doctor Who and James Bond. It's only seven years since his first starring role in 'Beach Rats', but he's since barely put a foot wrong, playing John Paul Getty III in the FX drama series 'Trust', then bagging major roles in a string of big films including 'The King's Man', 'Triangle of Sadness', 'Where the Crawdads Sing', and 'The Iron Claw'. He's seen his Bond odds tumble in recent months but has now lengthened to 20/1 for the role. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Jacob Elordi - 20/1
A name that came from seemingly nowhere a couple of months ago, Jacob Elordi was one of the favourites just a month ago. He's now anither 20/1 longshot to become the second Australian James Bond after George Lazenby. He shot to fame in 'Saltburn' and played Elvis in 'Priscilla'. Images | Getty Images for FLC