Denis Villeneuve has officially been confirmed as the director for the highly anticipatedBond 26, but the film is still missing its all-important lead actor. There’s been so much talk aboutwho could play the next James Bond, but nobody has officially been cast in the role yet. That being said, certain names have continued to rise to the top.
The executives at Amazon have continued to speak very openly about their criteria for the actor (age, personality, etc), claiming thatthey’re looking for a somewhat younger actorwho can lead the franchise for many years. It’s still unclear to what extentBond 26will be a “Young Bond” story, but it’s looking more and more possible by the day.
10Jonathan Bailey
Best Known For Wicked & Jurassic Park Rebirth
This year has been a particularly important one for Jonathan Bailey, who is a part of two major blockbusters:Jurassic Park RebirthandWicked: For Good. He’s slowly becoming one of the most popular actors of his generation, andthis is exactly the kind of momentum that Amazon will be looking forin their next Bond.
Bailey has the perfect levels of charisma and charm to satisfy the “classic” side of James Bond that audiences will recognize from Connery and Brosnan’s versions, but also the sense of humor that made Roger Moore’s movies so entertaining. He’s the best of both worlds, and it definitely helps that he’s currently on everybody’s radars.
9Harry Lawtey
Best Known For Industry & The Pale Blue Eye
Harry Lawtey is an underrated choice for James Bond sincehe’s best known for his TV work inIndustryrather than large-budget filmmaking, but he’s clearly talented enough to adopt the role. Since the star confirmed that he won’t be appearing inIndustryseason 4, there’s probably enough room in his schedule to makeBond 26work.
HisIndustrycharacter became a fan-favorite thanks to his old-money aesthetic and deep personal conflicts, which made him a very compelling figure to watch on-screen. If Villeneuve sticks with the rich character work and moral ambiguity that’s made his filmography so powerful in recent years, Lawtey could be the perfect choice.
8Callum Turner
Best Known For Masters Of The Air & Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
In every project that he appears in, Callum Turner always brings a level of emotional complexity to his characters that could be exactly what separates Villeneuve’sJamesBondfrom the previous incarnations. Whilehe can nail the suave, stoic side of the character, he could also reach into a more human, personal dimension thatJames Bondrarely tackles.
It’s hard to imagine that hisBondmovie will be as traditional as those that came before it, and if that’s the case, somebody with Turner’s skill set would be a valuable asset.
Even when he’s tackling action movies likeSicarioorDune, Villeneuve always manages to drench his narratives in rich subtext, exploring important themes like identity and humanity. It’s hard to imagine that hisBondmovie will be as traditional as those that came before it, and if that’s the case, somebody with Turner’s skill set would be a valuable asset.
7Aaron Pierre
Best Known For Rebel Ridge & The Underground Railroad
Aaron Pierre first becameone of the leading names forBond 26following his fierce performance inRebel Ridgelast year, and he’s remained at the top of many pundits’ lists ever since. Severallesser-known actors are in contention for James Bond, but Pierre is certainly one of the most appealing, with his stoic exterior and deeply emotional capabilities.
If Villeneuve decides to go down the route ofa more classical, stoic version of James Bondthat’s been done several times before, Pierre definitely fits the bill. He’d be a worthy successor to Daniel Craig, who blended a sharp professionalism with a more playful penchant for one-liners and physical comedy.
6Jack Lowden
Best Known For Slow Horses & Dunkirk
Jack Lowden’s name has been inthe conversation forBond 26ever since the project was announced, and he certainly fits with Amazon’s ongoing criteria for the character.His work onSlow Horsesis a very fitting audition for the role, and his lack of commitment to any other franchises makes him an ideal choice.
Slow Horseselements are clearly inspired by theJames Bondfranchise anyway, so it would be very fitting for one of the Apple TV show’s alumni to step into the shoes of 007. He’s the perfect age to tackle the role, but if he doesn’t land the part,he’d also be a perfect candidate for somebody like Q.
5Damson Idris
Best Known For Outside The Wire & F1: The Movie
Following the hugecommercial success ofF1: The Movie, Damson Idris quickly became a very strong candidate for James Bond.He displays all the ambition, dedication, and tenacitythat it takes to handle such an iconic role, and his witty personality is exactly what Amazon is looking for in their next 007.
The only thing holding Idris back from being a leading candidate for Bond is thatAmazon is clearly looking for somebody more well-known to lead their franchise.The studio’s reported list of “ideal” candidates included names such as Tom Holland and Jacob Elordi, so the casting directors may not be so keen to hire such a fresh face.
4Paul Mescal
Best Known For Normal People & Gladiator II
Paul Mescal’s name was mentioned quite frequently during the early days ofBond 26speculation. However, the actor soon lost momentum as he was replaced by frontrunners like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James. However, if Villeneuve sticks with his tendency to make character-driven, thematically rich movies,Mescal could be a surprisingly good fit.
Although he’s proven withGladiator IIthat he’s got the physicality needed to make Bond work, projects likeAftersunandNormal Peoplealso prove that theOscar-nominated actor has a much deeper breadth of emotions and vulnerability than many of his peers. This could be a fascinating new take on the role if Villeneuve opts for something more ambiguous and character-driven.
3Alfred Enoch
Best Known For How To Get Away With Murder & Executive Order
Although he wasn’t included inAmazon’s James Bond candidate shortlist, Alfred Enoch perfectly fits the criteria laid out by the studio. At 36 years old, he’s the perfect age to jump into the franchise and carry it forward for several years, and his sparkling personality is exactly what Amazon is looking for in the franchise’s new figurehead.
2Harris Dickinson
Best Known For Babygirl & The Iron Claw
While there are certainly problems with Amazon’s vision of James Bond (namely, the studio’s focus on A-List celebrities above all else), Harris Dickinson is one of the few names that have been put forward, which makes complete sense.He’s got an excellent blend of impassive charm that could make his Bond very elusive, while also displaying lots of humor and friendliness.
Dickinson’s work inBabygirlis a perfect example of how effectively he can combine the cold, domineering side of his personality with a more playful and charming side that’s been seen in almost every other interpretation of James Bond throughout the years. Amazon is clearly attracted to his style, and Villeneuve would certainly be able to make the most of his talent.
1Josh O’Connor
Best Known For Challengers & The Crown
Josh O’Connor broke onto the scene with his ferocious performance as King Charles II in Netflix’sThe Crownandhas continued choosing bold and ambitious projectsever since. While he was often considered an outside shot forBond 26due to his tendency to favor independent movies over studio blockbusters, Villeneuve’s involvement could be enough to win the actor over.
Villeneuve has made countless brilliant movies, both studio blockbusters likeDuneand independent powerhouses likeIncendies, so it would be very fitting if O’Connor bridged the gap between these two mediums as his James Bond. The pair could work very well together onBond 26, with the filmmaker finally making the most of O’Connor’s sharp charisma and stern intensity.
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
