Amazon MGM are reportedly circling three huge names to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.
The long-running franchise made a monumental step towards its next instalment this week, with the appointment of Denis Villeneuve as director.
Announcing that the Dune filmmaker would be helming the next film in the series, head of Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins said: ‘We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter.
‘He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself.’
Since then, speculation has gone into overdrive as to who might play Villeneuve’s Bond – with some suggesting he might tap up Dune collaborator Timothée Chalamet to take the role.
According to Variety, the studio and producers have their own wishlist in mind – and it’s between actors Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson.
Jacob Elordi
28-year-old Jacob hit the stratosphere as the star of the 2023 hit Saltburn, appearing opposite Barry Keoghan as the object of creepy Oliver Quick’s affections.
With the publication reporting that producers are looking for an actor under the age of 30, Jacob certainly hits the bill in that respect.
While Jacob is an Australian, that shouldn’t count against him in playing British instruction Bond – underrated 007 George Lazenby was an Aussie too.
If Jacob is successful, this should more than make up for him missing out on a starring role in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman reboot.
Tom Holland
Marvel Cinematic Universe star Tom Holland, 29, previously threw his own name into the hat, admitting that he’d ‘love’ to play Bond.
‘I’m just putting that out there,’ he teased in 2021, adding: ‘I look pretty good in a suit.’
And, as the MCU’s own Spider-Man, Tom is no stranger to explosive franchise filmmaking.
Harris Dickinson
English actor Harris, 29, has had a strong run of hits recently, starring in Triangle of Sadness, The Iron Claw and Babygirl in the last three years alone.
As of April this year, Harris’s odds were listed as 9/1 to score the elusive license to kill.
‘The 28-year-old already has a very impressive portfolio of work and has received critical acclaim for his acting alongside Nicole Kidman,’ said Betfred spokesperson Robert Ford.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Harris will step into the shoes of another British icon – playing John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic.
With producers circling their Bond, speculation has also been rife as to who might be the next Bond girl.
While some speculated that Zendaya could appear opposite Villeneuve’s future Bond, her Dune: Part 2 co-star Florence Pugh has edged her out of the top spot.
According to Gambling.com, the Midsommar star is the favourite to be the next Bond girl, at odds of 8/1.
‘I think everyone’s always interested in playing a spy, right?’ she told Digital Spy.
‘That’s something we grow up admiring, which is so strange, but it’s just a very clever and quick world that we all want to be a part of.’
As the only name formally attached to the new film, Villeneuve has responded to the announcement of his new gig, promising that the franchise is in safe hands.
‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,’ he said in a statement released soon after the news broke.
‘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.
He described the opportunity ‘a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.’
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