Let’s get real: no pop culture question generates fiercer arguments—or more hopefulness than “Who’s next James Bond? ” Since Daniel Craig retired with No Time to Die, the speculation has grown to a fevered point. Now that Amazon MGM Studios owns the 007 reins and Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is said to be guiding the next film, the guessing has never been more rampant. So, who’s really in the running to take over the tux, the Aston Martin, and that classic martini order? Here’s our list of the top 10 contenders based on insider chatter, betting odds, and sheer fan enthusiasm.
10. Paul Mescal – The Indie Star Set to Go Global
Paul Mescal’s brooding intensity initially stole hearts in Normal People, but his next lead turn in Gladiator II shows he’s set for something greater and braver. The Irish leading man has the gravitas and smolder for Bond, but has been careful over the speculation, at one point admitting the prospect of playing 007 “didn’t feel real.” Whether he’s actually in the running or just a fan’s darling, Mescal’s blend of emotional complexity and physicality makes him a legitimate dark horse.
9. Regé-Jean Page – The Charmer Who Wears the “B” Word Proudly
With Bridgerton making Regé-Jean Page a household name, rumors of “Bond” trailed soon after. Page has shrugged it all off as “a merit badge for British actors.” He’s undoubtedly charming, suave, and loved by audiences. The question is whether producers envision him as anything more than a romantic lead. Nevertheless, his name keeps resurfacing because he’s got the looks and the charm to blush even Q.
8. Theo James – The Reluctant Front-Runner
Theo James essentially appears as if he were made in a Bond factory: cool, cocky, and impossibly good-looking. His appearances in The Gentlemen and The White Lotus demonstrate he can be charming and sinister with ease. However, James himself has talked down the prospect, volunteering that the franchise requires “a reinvention” that will not feature him. That is, however, where the bookmakers differ, maintaining their odds high at all times. Perhaps all it takes is one great script to convert him.
7. Harris Dickinson – The Chameleon with Deadly Range
If the producers are looking for a younger, more unpredictable choice, then Harris Dickinson might just be the man. From Beach Rats to The King’s Man, Dickinson has proved capable of turning from vulnerable to deadly in a split second. He’s got the acting chops, the youth, and a bit of calm intensity that would suit a contemporary Bond. He’s not the biggest star as of yet, but that’s never held back the franchise in the past.
6. Tom Holland – The Short King Who Aspires to be 007
Tom Holland has never been afraid of coveting the role; he’s even suggested his own Bond origin movie. The Spider-Man actor once quipped, “I’d love to be Bond. I look great in a suit.” His youth and Marvel obligations may be against him, but his energy and natural charm could win over a new generation. If Amazon actually wants to reboot 007 for a younger generation, then Holland would be their biggest gamble yet.
5. Josh O’Connor – The Quiet Favorite
Most famous for his Emmy-winning work as Prince Charles in The Crown and his appearance opposite Zendaya in Challengers, Josh O’Connor has been building quietly as a contender. With his dark hair, suave attitude, and striking blue-grey eyes, he matches Ian Fleming’s description of Bond nearly to a T. Industry folks label him “at the ideal moment” in his career, adored, but not oversaturated. O’Connor might effortlessly resurrect the intellectual, tormented Bond of Fleming’s novels.
4. Henry Cavill – The Bond That Came Close
Henry Cavill came this close to being Bond back in 2006, when he was runner-up to Daniel Craig for Casino Royale. Nearly two decades later, he’s aged perfectly into the part. With The Witcher and Superman behind him, Cavill brings action experience, fan devotion, and that old-school elegance Bond demands. Still, producers might hesitate to cast someone so famous. But if they’re looking for a ready-made global icon, Cavill remains the safest and most popular choice.
3. James Norton – The Thinking Woman’s 007
James Norton’s name has hovered close to the top of Bond shortlists for years, and rightly so. A Cambridge alumnus with a wide range, he’s moved seamlessly from psychopaths (Happy Valley) to heroes (War and Peace). He’s clever, refined, and can flip on menace when required, an ideal set of skills for Bond. As one critic said, “He’s handsome, intelligent, and magnetic, exactly what women and audiences want in 007.”
2. Aaron Taylor-Johnson – The Rumored Front-Runner
If the rumors hold any weight, Aaron Taylor-Johnson may already have one foot in the Aston Martin. He’s said to have done clandestine screen tests and even been offered the role, according to reports. With Kick-Ass, Bullet Train, and Tenet on his CV, not to mention his association with Omega, Bond’s brand signature watch business, Taylor-Johnson ticks every box. At 35, he’s the perfect age to front a decade of Bond films. Fans and insiders alike view him as the one to beat.
1. The Mystery Pick – Why 007 Might Surprise Us All
The beauty of Bond casting is that it always surprises us. Daniel Craig was a shocker. So was Pierce Brosnan before him. With Denis Villeneuve reportedly searching for a “fresh face,” there’s every chance the next 007 is an actor you’ve barely heard of. The recipe is the same: British, early-to-mid 30s, and able to reimagine the role for a new generation.
Regardless of who it is, one thing’s for sure: they’ll have to have the swagger to step into some of cinema’s biggest roles. The Bond series has long lived on reinvention, Connery’s bluster, then Craig’s grit. And now, with Amazon set to reboot the world’s most iconic spy, the new 007 will need to walk the tightrope between tradition and change. Whether his name is a household one or completely unknown, part of the fun is the guessing game, and in true Bond style, the unveiling will be worth the wait.