Dua Lipa and Callum Turner backed for top Bond roles in hotly-anticipated new 007 installment

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have both been backed to take on key roles in the next James Bond film.
The famous couple, who got engaged last month, are 12/1 on odds, predicted by William Hill, to sing the theme song and star as the next 007 actor.
Dua, 29, has a 15/8 shot to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Adele and Billie Eilish in singing the opening track to the next film.
Meanwhile her partner Callum, 35, has gained support in the market for him to be cast as the next James Bond as he is now just 7/2 to follow on from Daniel Craig.
A spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: 'Speculation is mounting around the new James Bond film, and we have seen support for couple Dua Lipa and Callum Turner to both be involved in the next movie.
'Dua Lipa has already proven her credentials on the big screen and in the studio, so it's no surprise to see her odds shorten to 15/8 to follow the likes of Adele and Billie Eilish by singing the next iconic Bond theme.'
Phelps continued: 'Meanwhile, Callum Turner has seen a flurry of support to succeed Daniel Craig as 007 himself – he's now 7/2 in the betting, behind only favourite Aaron Taylor Johnson (8/11), having steadily climbed the market in recent months.
'As a duo, they're now just 12/1 to both feature in the film in these respective roles, which would mark a bold and modern new direction for the franchise.'
Following months of speculation on who will be named the new James Bond, three names emerged from Coral Bookmakers earlier this month, with one lead actor back in the running.
Kick Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, is also odds on favorite with Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden, also 35, and Netflix star Theo James, 40, following close behind.
Bookmaker Coral have reported seeing a strong wave of support behind Aaron with the British actor as the 9-4 favorite for the role.
Meanwhile Theo is currently coming in second best at 4-1, while Jack is backed at 5-1. Elsewhere the betting site have Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, with odds of 10-1.
Coral's John Hill said: 'We've seen another strong wave of support behind Aaron Taylor-Johnson in our next James Bond betting. Although other names have been linked with the role in recent weeks.
'The British actor remains the man punters are backing to replace Daniel Craig'.
However, it is thought that Spiderman star Tom will not be able to bag the role of 007 as he will being filming for Spider Man 4 in the coming months.
The studio announced earlier this year that Denis Villeneuve has signed on to direct the untitled Bond film, via an Amazon press release.
The filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.
Amazon had previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film's producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson.
The news comes just over three years after Amazon completed its massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise.
There hasn't been a Bond film since 2021's No Time To Die, the final instalment where Daniel Craig played the beloved secret agent.
The director said in a statement: '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.'
He added: 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor 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 honor.'
He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, 'are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.'
Amy and David added: 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.
'It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.'
After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert Broccoli.
Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.
Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms have not been disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.
Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.
He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.
The filmmaker broke into Hollywood with 2013's Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.
He continued to win acclaim for 2013's Enemy, 2015's Sicario, 2016's Arrival, 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021's Dune: Part One and 2024's Dune: Part Two.
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool being a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.'
The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city center in the background.