Who Will Be the Next James Bond? Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi Emerge as Top Frontrunners for 007

Ever since Daniel Craig stepped away from the iconic role of James Bond, names like Regé-Jean Page and Tom Holland have repeatedly appeared as fans’ and bookmakers’ favorites.

Now, the search for the next Bond is finally gaining momentum after years of rumors.

The franchise appears to be moving closer to a real decision, as acclaimed casting director Nina Gold, known for her work on Game of Thrones and The Crown, has reportedly joined forces with producers and director Denis Villeneuve to choose the next 007.

Reports suggest the list of contenders has already been narrowed down to a handful.

According to Variety, Gold has been auditioning Hollywood stars for the past few weeks.

Amid the auditions, Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement, via Motion Picture Association, “The search for the next James Bond is underway.”

“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” the statement added.

However, The Independent has shared a list of potential front-runners for the role that was previously donned by Craig.

According to reports, Callum Turner is being hailed as the reported first choice to don the famed tuxedo, following his blockbuster roles in Masters of the Air and the Fantastic Beasts trilogy.

Further, there's Jacob Elordi, who has become a fan-favorite following his roles in Euphoria, Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights.

There's also Harris Dickinson, known for his blockbuster outings like The Triangle of Sadness and Babygirl.

He's being considered as he has a history of nabbing coveted roles, including the one of John Lennon in Sam Mendes’s upcoming Beatles film.

Finally, there's Theo James whose name has floated around as a potential choice.

Known for the Divergent series and Downton Abby, James is being hailed as a compelling choice to drive the Aston Martin DB5.

Meanwhile, there were other names shortlisted for the role of 007 as well, like Jack Lowden, Louis Partridge, Tom Holland, among others. However, there's a high chance this batch of actors probably won’t be bagging the role of Bond.

While the actor for the upcoming Bond movie remains unknown and yet to be signed, the director to helm the film has been confirmed.

In June 2025, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Villeneuve was officially named to direct the next Bond film, marking the first 007 movie to be developed under Amazon MGM Studios.

Further, as the announcement of Villeneuve taking over the director's chair for the 007 franchise went viral, it was met with mixed reactions.

While many were excited to see the visionary filmmaker behind Arrival bring a fresh style to the franchise, others questioned if his slower, thoughtful storytelling might fit Bond’s fast-paced action formula.

However, speaking after the announcement, Villeneuve shared his deep connection to the iconic spy series.

He said, “Some of my earliest moviegoing memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory.”

Villeneuve further assured fans, “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 concluded, “Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”