Now that the Daniel Craig era of the James Bond franchise is over, fans are still wondering: who will take up the 007 mantle next?
Henry Cavill – who has already played another iconic figure in cinematic history, Superman – has reached a seriously full circle moment when it comes to the Bond role. After losing out to Daniel Craig years ago to play the secret agent (he was apparently deemed too young), he has been confirmed to be playing the very spy that inspired Ian Fleming to write the Bond novels.
Cavill will play Gus March-Phillips, the World War II spy in upcoming Guy Ritchie film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring alongside Alan Ritchson, Eiza Gonzalez, Henry Golding and Alex Pettyfer.
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The actor opened up further on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently about his character's connection to Ian Fleming, as well as the fact that March-Phillips was also a novelist.
“Ian Fleming was part of the Special Operations Executive, who wrote James Bond, and apparently based James Bond upon Gus March-Phillips, the guy who I played. I reckon it was probably a bit more than that, that it was probably other characters as well," he said.
But, it’s my understanding, controversially, my character, Gus March-Phillips in real life, wrote a novel with a spy character, and based upon his various adventures, but he died during World War II, and so he never got to continue writing his books. Had he survived, may be, he would have beaten Ian Fleming to the punch.”
So while it's unclear if Cavill will ever play 007, he's going to play a pretty integral part of the spy's story.
In other Bond-related news, Dune director Denis Villeneuve, has been confirmed to be taking the reins of the next movie as director.
“I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery,” he said in a statement officially announcing the news, referring to himself as "a die-hard Bond fan" and that the character was "sacred territory" to him.
A huge 2025 theory for who will play the next Bond is Leo Woodall. The Bridget Jones star has opened up about being open to “beating up some bad guys as Bond”. He hasn't received a call yet, but after all the hype around his performances in The White Lotus, One Day and the Bridget Jones sequel, we wouldn't be surprised if we got one soon.
Happy Valley star James Norton has also been pitched as a possible Bond, but has mocked this possibility at the 2025 BAFTAs. "Whoever is deciding on these odds needs to get a new job. It's so weird and bemusing," he said.
James and Leo aren't the only rumoured castings, though. Last year, The Sun reported that Eon Productions has offered the role to Aaron Taylor-Johnson. “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it," a source told the publication. "The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back. As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”
Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to Blockbuster franchises. In 2015, he landed the role of Quicksilver in Avengers: The Age of Ultron. You may have also spotted him in recent films like The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, The King's Man and Tenet.
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Franchise boss Barbara Broccoli also disappointed fans with a severely limited update about the next Bond iteration. Deadline reported that she was non-committal when asked about the future of Bond at a recent event: “There’s nothing I can tell you about the next Bond film. There’s nothing. Nothing is happening yet.”
She had previously talked about the unlikelihood of a female James Bond on the Girls On Film podcast: “I don’t think that we should be making films where women are playing men,” she explained. “I think we should be making more films about women.” She clarified that she would be open to a non-binary actor playing the part.
Although it looks likely that the next James Bond will be Taylor-Johnson, here were our top picks for the ultimate role, including men, women and non-binary actors. Take a look.
Leo Woodall
When asked about the titular Bond role by Variety, Leo responded: “Every British actor’s getting that! That call hasn’t come yet.”
“Yeah, I’d do Bond,” he said. “I’d love to do something like that. It doesn’t need to be saving the world, but I want to beat up some bad guys, you know?”
Sydney Sweeney
Many have said Sydney may be the next Bond girl, but why couldn't she be Bond herself? Besides, she's already set to play legendary boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, so we know she's got the fighting spirit.
Josh O'Connor
We know it's crossed the Challengers star's mind, but he has remained very tight-lipped about the possibility.
In an interview with Deadline last year, he quipped: "The truth is that … I think in the space of a week, I made a joke about, wouldn’t it be funny if I played Bond? Then, me and Daniel [Craig] did an Actors on Actors, and then something else happened, and then suddenly I was James Bond. If I am Bond, I don’t know about it.”
Harris Dickinson
The Babygirl actor's star quality has catapulted since he starred opposite Nicole Kidman. As far back as 2023, he admitted to Total Film that he was "intrigued" by playing Bond.
"I mean, listen, man, you'd be a fool to not entertain that role.
"I'm loving seeing the development of James Bond and seeing how it changes over the years. I think Daniel Craig was such a good Bond that I'd almost be quite frightened to try.
"Who knows what they're doing with Bond? I'm intrigued."
Lashana Lynch
After her appearance in No Time To Die, we can’t help but speculate if she might somehow become the next Bond herself. She’s recently played Bob Marley’s wife Rita in biopic One Love, and was asked in an interview about whether she could be the first female, Black Bond. She was very humble, asking if she was what people wanted for that role (answer: yes) and disappointingly added that she hasn't heard anything about a potential future Bond role yet. She'd be perfect, after her amazing turn in The Day of the Jackal opposite Eddie Redmayne.
Jodie Comer
After her turn as everyone’s favourite love-to-hate assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve, we can definitely see Jodie as a Bond. Or a Bond villain, admittedly. The woman who can do anything, in any accent. Rumours started to circulate that she might be in the running for the role after her Tony award win in stage show Prima Facie, but now reports say she’s up against Michelle Keegan to be the next Bond girl. Who’s to say where she will end up?
Lupita Nyong'o
A female Bond is still a popular notion, despite Broccoli's recent statements – and Lupita’s name is often thrown in to the mix in these conversations. She brought down the house in Jordan Peele’s Us and smashed the action vibes in Black Panther, so we’d love to see it.
Emma Corrin
If Broccoli sticks to her word and considers casting a non-binary actor as the next Bond, we submit Emma Corrin. After their stunning turn as Princess Diana in The Crown and their onstage triumph in London's West End take on Orlando – this would be an amazing next role and we'd be lucky to have them.
Idris Elba
Having been a favourite for years since his show-stopping performance as Luther, we’ve always had a soft spot for Idris and the idea of him taking on the timeless 007 role. Unfortunately, though, he spoke out last year about the racist backlash he had experienced after speculation over him being the next Bond, saying “[it] made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting”.
Barry Keoghan
Following his unforgettable turn as the seemingly awkward, evil-but-albeit-innocent-looking Oliver in Saltburn (and his small-yet-memorable part in The Banshees of Insherin), we reckon Barry could totally make Bond his own. Barry has said he's game, so we guess it's the casting team's move.
Riz Ahmed
If cast, Riz would not only be the first Brown James Bond, he would bring an emotional intensity that many perhaps couldn't. His work on Sound of Metal as a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing really showcased his range, and we'd love to see someone with his talents perhaps give Bond another dimension. Riz has spoken before about “stretching the mould of what our traditional archetypes are” by playing Bond, so it could happen.
Tom Hiddleston
Perhaps one of the biggest OG candidates. He's suave, sexy and has played a Marvel villain (Loki), so is more than acquainted with franchise-level acclaim. And he looks great in a suit. Tom Hiddleston may have been the most obvious casting choice for Bond back when he was dating Taylor Swift and had the most buzz – but we haven't given up hope on him quite yet.
James Norton
He was revolting as the ultimate psychopath in Happy Valley, and broke our hearts in London's stage adaptation of bestselling novel A Little Life. Is James Norton's next step towards the tux and martini? He's certainly smoothly spoken, we certainly would enjoy it.
Austin Butler
After making his name playing Elvis in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the musical legend's story, Austin Butler remains a top contender to play James Bond. He made his intentions to one day play the role clear over 12 years ago. Could history be on his side? Only time will tell.
Jonathan Bailey
We fancied the pants off him during his turn in Bridgerton and most recently in Jurassic World: Rebirth – could Jonathan Bailey bring his raw sexual magnetism to the 007 role? He's in his mid 30s so is the perfect age, and has the athleticism and versatile acting chops to make it work magically. Perhaps if a casting didn't conflict with any continued commitments to play Anthony Bridgerton, he could be a contender?
Paul Mescal
A true heartbreaker, Mescal stormed onto screens and into our affections with the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People alongside Daisy Edgar Jones, and has since gained critical acclaim for his role in award-winning Aftersun and starred in Ridley Scott's Gladiator sequel. He has achieved ultimate superstar status. Is Bond next?
Dev Patel
From his honest (and hilarious) beginnings on cult teen TV classic Skins, Dev Patel has smashed the trajectory to Hollywood fame. He fronted Slumdog Millionaire and starred alongside Nicole Kidman in Lion, and made a film with Jordan Peele called Monkey Man. Is there anything he can't do? We certainly don't think playing Bond would make the list.
