Who will be the new James Bond? 'Top three' choices revealed

South Wales Guardian

27-06-2025

Following the news that Denis Villeneuve would direct the upcoming 26th James Bond film, many have been speculating who will be cast as the titular character.
After Daniel Craig left the role following the No Time To Die film in 2021, many names have been thrown around.
However, now it appears the list is beginning to narrow down.
According to a report by Variety, insiders say that the studio and producers are interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30.
They say Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson are "at the top of the list".
Elordi is an Australian actor, who became known for his role as troubled high school football player Nate Jacobs in HBO's teen drama series Euphoria.
In 2023, he starred as a wealthy university student Felix Catton in Saltburn, which earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Tom Holland is most well-known for his role as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but has also starred in the film Uncharted and is set to be in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey.
A post shared by Tom Holland (@tomholland2013)
Harris Dickinson, like Holland, is another English actor.
He has starred in films such as Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), The Iron Claw (2023), and Babygirl (2024), along with the miniseries A Murder at the End of the World (2023).
The report from Variety has sparked a big debate among Bond fans, with many unimpressed with the names linked.
One said: "Rest in peace Bond franchise it's been a good run."
"Oh so the Bond francise is dead okay cool," another jested.
A third said: I like Elordi, but given the type of projects he's done, I doubt James bond is of interest. Same with Harris Dickinson.
"Also, Tom Holland, no."
Amazon's casting wishlist for who should play the next James Bond includes:
• Jacob Elordi
• Tom Holland
• Harris Dickinson
(Source: https://t.co/zLKTTBsOuH) pic.twitter.com/Phdj8HLrxn
Variety also says rumoured names Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill are "unlikely to fit the mandate" as they are 35 and 42, respectively.
They also rule out Idris Elba, 52, who has been a top fan choice for many years, saying no meetings have happened at this stage.
The speculation around who will be playing James Bond comes after Denis Villeneuve was confirmed to be the new director.
Amazon MGM studios announced the news on Thursday, with the rumours that the film will not be released until 2028.
The Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee has earned both critical acclaim and box office success with the Dune franchise, as well as with Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.
In a statement, Villeneuve described himself as a 'die-hard' James Bond fan.
Denis Villeneuve will direct the new James Bond film (Image: Ian West/PA) He said: 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery.
'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.
'This is a massive responsibility, but also incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.'
Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside his wife Tanya Lapointe.
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Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said he was 'honoured' to have the acclaimed director on board.
'He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival to the Dune films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres,' he said.
'James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007's next adventure.'