As we enter July 2026, it’s been well over six-and-a-half years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and drank his last vodka martini, following the last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise.
Film fans know there WILL be a sequel to Craig’s swansong performance in No Time To Die - with Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve on board to direct a film to be written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But we have still to discover the third main part of the cinematic jigsaw - the actor who will take on the iconic role - at the same time as Britain is also looking for a new Prime Minister and Doctor Who.
It will be a life-changing role for whoever becomes 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 over the Bond-less years, 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 even days - away.
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9. Tom Francis - 16/1
Having been favourite for a couple of weeks earlier in the year, after it was revealed he had auditioned, Tom Francis has now dropped down to 16/1 to take over as Bond. He's best known as a stage actor having won the Olivier Award for Best Actor (and a Tony nomination) for starring in 'Sunset Boulevard'. He also played Romeo in jukebox musical '& Juliet', appeared in the final series of 'You' on the small screen and alongside George Clooney in Noah Baumbach's latest film 'Jay Kelly' on the big screen. | AFP via Getty Images
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10. Jack Lowden - 16/1
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'. He's now priced at 16/1 to be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery. | Getty Images
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11. Leo Suter - 20/1
Leo Suter only entered the running to be Bond in the second half of 2025 but has recently seen his 007 odds drift out to 20/1. His highest-profile performance to date is as Harald Sigurdsson in the Netflix series 'Vikings: Valhalla'. | Getty Images
12. Patrick Gibson - 20/1
Also priced at 20/1 is Patrick Gibson, who has already played Bond in video game '007 First Light'. He's best known for starring as a young Dexter Morgan in serial killer prequel TV series 'Dexter: Original Sin'. | Getty Images