As we reach the end of summer 2026, it’s now nearly seven years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and drank his last vodka martini following the hugely-successful last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise.
We’ve known for some time that there will be sequel to No Time To Die - directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But there’s still no news on who will take on the iconic role, becoming 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.
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5. James Norton - 16/1
An actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out since the start of the year and are now sitting at 16/1. The 'Happy Valley' and 'Grantchester' actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's 'McMafia series'. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f
6. Paul Mescal - 16/1
Irish actor Paul Mescal shot to fame in television series 'Normal People' and his since become one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. He's set to star as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' four-part Beatles biopic and is one of several names who are priced at 16/1 to play Bond. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Damson Idris - 16/1
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 16/1 shot to add the role of James Bond to his CV. | Getty Images
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8. Leo Suter - 16/1
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'. | Getty Images for Netflix