Who could be the next James Bond? The names most likely to inherit 007

James Bond is officially in a new era, and not just because Daniel Craig walked into the sunset. Last year, the franchise underwent its biggest behind-the-scenes shake-up since Sean Connery first ordered a vodka martini. Longtime custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, who have overseen 007 since the 1990s, ceded creative control to Amazon Studios, following Amazon’s 2022 acquisition of MGM and a reportedly eye-watering extra $1 billion to fully unlock Bond’s future.

Then came the next seismic development: Denis Villeneuve, the director behind Dune and Blade Runner 2049, signed on to helm Bond 26. Not exactly a journeyman choice, Villeneuve is a mood-first, auteur filmmaker, which immediately signalled a tonal shift. And it looks as though the new bond will be cast this year.

Some boundaries remain firmly in place. The next Bond will reportedly be male and from the British Isles, which quietly rules out a lot of internet favourites. Previous names like Hardy, Elba, Cavill, and Hiddleston seem to have aged out of contention. The key now looks to be whether the actor is right for Bond, right for Villeneuve’s story and a fresher face.

With casting still officially unstarted and a tentative timeline pointing towards a 2028 release, speculation is doing what it does best: running wild. Here are the names that actually make sense, along with the man currently leading the pack.

8. Joseph Quinn

Quinn is a wildcard here. Known for volatility and emotional rawness, he’s less traditionally “Bond” than others on this list. But that may be the point. If Villeneuve is planning a more fragile, psychologically exposed 007, closer to espionage noir than action spectacle, Quinn’s intensity could be an asset rather than a risk. However it does seem unlikely, especially with the young actor now firmly locked in with the MCU as the Fantastic Four's Human Torch.

7. Regé-Jean Page

Page remains one of the most divisive Bond suggestions. On the plus side: undeniable screen presence, classic leading-man looks, and international recognition. On the downside: he’s yet to fully escape the gravitational pull of Bridgerton. Bond could be the role that redefines him, or it could expose limitations if the performance leans too suave and not enough steel.

6. Damson Idris

Idris brings confidence, charm and modern edge. His work in Snowfall proves he can carry long-form storytelling and complex character arcs, but Bond would require a slight recalibration: less flash, more discipline. If Villeneuve is interested in exploring power, control and identity, Idris could offer a compellingly contemporary take on 007.

5. Harris Dickinson

Dickinson is the sort of actor Bond producers have historically loved, young, serious, and not yet fully claimed by a defining role. From Beach Rats to Triangle of Sadness, he has an unnerving stillness that could translate beautifully into a more introspective, psychologically complex 007. He wouldn’t be a loud Bond, but he could be a haunting one, which, under Villeneuve, feels entirely plausible.

4. Dev Patel

Patel has quietly transformed into one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Gone is the wide-eyed charm of his early roles, replaced by a sharper, darker intensity seen in The Green Knight and Monkey Man. He brings intelligence, emotional depth and a physicality that feels earned rather than imposed. Casting Patel would signal confidence: a Bond defined by thoughtfulness and inner tension, not just bravado.

3. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Taylor-Johnson remains the benchmark. He’s already impressed the old guard, reportedly acing a top-secret screen test back in 2022, and his physical credibility is beyond doubt. Films like Nocturnal Animals and Bullet Train show he can combine menace with charisma, while Kick-Ass proved long ago he can anchor a franchise. The question now is whether he feels too obvious, or whether that experience is exactly what a newly Amazon-owned Bond needs to steady the ship.

2. Aaron Pierre

Pierre has bags of presence. There’s a grounded physicality to him that feels imposing without tipping into cartoonish toughness. Roles in The Underground Railroad and Rebel Ridge show an actor capable of quiet authority and controlled intensity. He still feels under the radar, although that won't last long after being cast in the Lanterns, which could work strongly in his favour if the brief really is “fresh face, new energy”.

1. Callum Turner

At this moment, Turner feels like the most complete candidate. He’s British, the right age, and crucially still sits in that sweet spot between recognisable and overexposed. Performances in The Capture, Emma and Masters of the Air show an actor comfortable with moral ambiguity, internal conflict and quiet authority, all traits that modern Bond demands. He has the look, yes, but also the restraint. If Villeneuve wants a Bond who feels serious, watchful and slightly unknowable, Turner fits almost too neatly.

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