Last year, James Bond fans received seismic news about the future of the classic British spy franchise: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson—the children of the original Bond movies legendary producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli—who have overseen the series since the ’90s, ceded creative control to Amazon Studios. (The streamer bought MGM, the studio which produces the Bond movies, back in 2022, but has now reportedly shelled out an additional $1 billion for the right to freely develop this particular cinematic universe on its own terms.)
Then, a few months later, it emerged that Denis Villeneuve, the Oscar-nominated helmer of the Dune franchise, would be in the director’s chair. After that, we got some more intel, thanks to a report in Deadline. Per sources, Villeneuve “will embark on the search [for an actor] next year [2026] when he completes production on Dune: Part Three.” He’s apparently after “a fresh face,” ideally “an unknown,” possibly “in his late 20s or early 30s.”
So, who will it be? Jacob Elordi, as per DeuxMoi? Or, as originally reported, someone “from the British Isles,” like Callum Turner? It seems a final decision has yet to be made, and it could all still be up for grabs. To that end, browse all the current contenders for the role below.
