It has been over well three years since Daniel Craig’s hung up his tux after starring in his final James Bond film, ‘No Time To Die’.
Since then there has been feverish speculation over who will succeed him in one of the world’s biggest film franchaises.
A succession of big names have seemed to be in poll position to follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan.
In 2024 it was reported that Kickass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the job, but it now seems that this was far from accurate.
And there is now further doubt about the recuitment process after Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have effectively previously handpicked the actors to play the character since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
Here are the latest 15 actors currently tipped to pull on 007’s tuxedo.
5. Jack Lowden - 7/1
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 priced at 7/1 fifth favourite to be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery. | Getty Images
6. James Norton - 8/1
Another actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out to 8/1 in recent months. The 'Happy Valley' and 'Grantchester' actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's 'McMafia series'. | Getty Images
7. Harris Dickinson - 10/1
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 priced at 10/1. | Getty Images
8. Richard Madden - 12/1
Another Scottish actor in the running to play James Bond is Richard Madden, who shot to global fame after playing Robb Stark in 'Game of Thrones'. The Golden Globe winner (he won for 'The Bodyguard') is 12/1 to enjoy his martini shaken not stirred. | Getty Images