The hunt for the next James Bond has become the ultimate casting mystery—a blend of top-secret maneuvering, feverish fan speculation, and a full-blown British cultural obsession. With Amazon MGM now steering the ship and Denis Villeneuve rumored to be stepping in as director, the stage is set for what could be the boldest and most daring reinvention of 007 yet. The Broccoli dynasty may be stepping back from center stage, but the rumor mill is working harder than ever. So, who will don the tuxedo, holster the Walther PPK, and order that signature martini—shaken, not stirred? Here are 11 actors who could take up the mantle of James Bond, ranked from least to most likely.
11. Dev Patel
Dev Patel is undoubtedly able to bring a different, but very effective Bond with his passionate, charming, and action-packed persona. Monkey Man, his latest adventure, convinces us that he can direct, fight, and totally dominate the screen. However, during an interview with BBC Asian Network, Patel made it clear that he has no intention of playing characters that are a part of the established legacy; he said, “No, I don’t want to be James Bond, I want to be Monkey Man.” In any case, fans are wont to see him as a desolving, soulful, and deeply passionate 007 of the present times.
10. Regé-Jean Page
Following Bridgerton, Regé-Jean Page came out as the most popular choice of a younger, more diverse Bond among the fans. He is a charmer, problem-solver, and it seems as if he was tuxedo-clad since birth. Regé-Jean, nevertheless, has shrugged off the rumors, talking to Vanity Fair, “It’s a very nice thing people are saying. I’ll let them talk.” Although not yet have a complete action résumé, the buzz about him is still very much alive.
9. Richard Madden
The bodyguard gave ample reason to always consider Richard Madden for the role of James Bond. The stiff-armed, powerhouse, and minimally intense Scottish actor possesses all these qualities and more that are essential for the part. Contrastingly, Madden plays it cool by saying to the press, “It’s nice to be considered, but it’s just speculation.” So, there is only one real obstacle here: he is already committed to multiple franchises, and Sly might want a fresh start.
8. Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal looks like he did only yesterday in Normal People as the sensitive charmer, but today he is Gladiator II’s war-seasoned hero. Given his diverse talents and innate sensitivity, he can potentially do away with the stereotype of a traditional James Bond. Paul went as far as to say that he would consider the role but would not proactively seek it out, pointing out, “If it ever came to me, I’d say, ‘Let’s talk.’” Off 29, he might be a bit too young for the role, but his rise to fame is extremely swift.
7. Jack Lowden
A true dark horse in the Bond running, Jack Lowden has been wowing critics for years in appearances in Dunkirk and Slow Horses. He’s Scottish, which is a bit of a nod to Bond’s literary roots, and has a subtle, nuanced strength as an actor. Lowden once said he didn’t want Daniel Craig to step down as Bond, but he’s already an actual contender to replace him.
6. Theo James
Theo James nearly exists in a Bond archetype in Netflix’s The Gentlemen: smooth, confident, and capable of switching from charm to menace in a snap. But he’s not actively auditioning for the role. “They need to do something different,” he said in an interview with SiriusXM. “That wouldn’t be me.” Still, the odds are solidly in his corner.
5. Josh O’Connor
Josh O’Connor, whose most popular works are The Crown and Challengers, can be considered the definition of shocking but interesting. He is a mere youthful, intriguing, and distressingly unstable, to name a few, traits in pot potential make up a fantastic way to reintroduce Bond. O’Connor reacted to the reports with a laugh, admitting that he joked about it only once, and the next day he woke up as “James Bond.” Industry insiders are not joking, whether the statement is made seriously or not.
4. Henry Cavill
For almost twenty years, Henry Cavill has been the link to the idea of playing the role of Bond. His audition for Casino Royale in 2005 led to a rejection letter that indicated he was too young for the part. As of now, he is 41 years old, and some people are wondering if it’s the other way around. Still, we have the people’s choice in Henry, who, alongside his great looks, charm, and action skills in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Superman, makes him their top choice of a perfect 007. “I could be too old right now, maybe not,” he said to The Rich Eisen Show. “It’s time to decide.”
3. Tom Holland
On a surface level, Tom Holland would be too young to play James Bond, but his determination tells something else. Several years ago, he actually came up with a Bond origin story and proposed it to Sony. That didn’t quite get off the ground, but Holland still holds on to that goal. “People are talking about it, but we won’t say a word,” he said to Gordon Ramsay in a YouTube conversation. With his worldwide fan base, solid frame, and witty banter, he would be the perfect candidate to headline a “young Bond” reboot if producers decide to take that route.
2. Aaron Taylor-Johnson
For months, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been the name that everyone keeps bringing up with gusto. His performances in Kick-Ass, Tenet, and Bullet Train were already the right kind of mixture for a role that needed both elements of the villainous and the polished. Now we hear the rumors that he’ll soon be offered the role, but no one has confirmed it yet. Taylor-Johnson appeared ill at ease with the matter and said, “I’m really good about it.” What is only adding fuel to the fire are the words of praise from Pierce Brosnan and George Lazenby.
1. The Wild Card: Scott Rose-Marsh
Each Bond period had a wild card, and Scott Rose-Marsh might just be this one’s dark horse. The 37-year-old actor with credits in Krays: Code of Silence and Wolves of War, is said to have done a screen test for director Denis Villeneuve with lines from Golden Eye. The only direction he was given? “Don’t imitate a former Bond.” In case the producers are willing to take the road less traveled and start afresh with a new face, Rose-Marsh might very well be the one who elicited a hearty laugh while being totally unexpected.
Searching for the next James Bond is as shaky as one of Q’s gadgets. The consequences are huge, no matter if Amazon MGM picks the next 007 from a well-known family, a hot newcomer, or a stranger. What is going to be for certain, however, is this much: the coming of the next 007 will be a spectacle that everyone around the globe will want to witness, martinis in their hands, hopes sky-high.