Who Will Be the Next James Bond – 12 Actors in the Running as Michael B Jordan Joins the Race
As the world moves into the second half of March, the search for the next James Bond has reached a fever pitch. It has been more than six years since Daniel Craig completed his tenure as the legendary 007, leaving a vacant tuxedo that has yet to be filled.
While the production has confirmed a powerhouse creative team with director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Steven Knight, the identity of the eighth actor to play the spy remains the ultimate mystery.
Recent shifts in the betting markets have seen Callum Turner surge to the front of the pack as the 5/4 favorite. The British actor, known for his work in the Fantastic Beasts franchise and the acclaimed series Masters of the Air, has recently starred in the film Eternity.
His presence at the Berlin Film Festival alongside Dua Lipa for their movie Rosebush Pruning did little to quiet the rumors that he is the top choice for the role. Trailing closely behind is Jacob Elordi at 2/1, whose star has risen significantly following an Oscar nomination for his role in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
The Australian actor has become a frequent fixture in cinemas, currently appearing in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights. If selected, Elordi would become the second Australian to portray the character, following in the footsteps of George Lazenby.
The race remains crowded with high-profile names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who currently sits at 5/1 despite earlier reports that he had already secured the part. Longtime fan favorite Henry Cavill follows at 6/1, though some fear he may join the list of great actors who nearly held the license to kill.
Meanwhile, Sinners star Jack O’Connell has seen a sudden spike in interest, joining Tom Hiddleston and Theo James with odds of 8/1. Other notable names in the mix include Anthony Boyle at 10/1, who has worked closely with Bond screenwriter Steven Knight on the Netflix drama The House of Guinness.
Recent Best Actor winner Michael B. Jordan has also entered the conversation at 12/1, a shift that suggests the possibility of the first American Bond. Rounding out the top contenders are Harris Dickinson, Jack Lowden, and James Norton, all of whom bring unique British charm to the potential casting.
The James Bond franchise is one of the longest-running and most successful series in cinematic history, having started with Sean Connery in 1962’s Dr. No. The character was created by novelist Ian Fleming, who wrote twelve novels and two short-story collections featuring the secret agent.
Since the 1990s, the series has been overseen by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, though Amazon’s acquisition of MGM has introduced new creative dynamics to the property.
Director Denis Villeneuve is currently one of the most respected filmmakers in the world, coming off the massive success of the Dune trilogy. His involvement suggests a visually stunning and intellectually rigorous direction for the upcoming 26th Bond film.
Screenwriter Steven Knight is equally celebrated, having created the global phenomenon Peaky Blinders and written acclaimed films like Eastern Promises. As for the actors currently in the running, many are balancing massive projects alongside the Bond speculation.
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