Now that the Daniel Craig era of the James Bond franchise is officially behind us, fans are still left asking the same question: who will take up the 007 mantle next? Craig was a defining presence for the franchise, following in the footsteps of iconic Bonds such as Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Over nearly two decades, from Casino Royale in 2006 to No Time to Die, Craig redefined the role, making it genuinely difficult to imagine anyone else stepping into the tux.
Still, as they say, the show must go on. Someone has to continue protecting Great Britain and the world under MI6. While the future of Bond remains tightly under wraps, there’s growing curiosity about how advances in technology might reshape the franchise. Could the next instalment lean into something like a deepfake-driven espionage thriller, in the vein of The Capture?
Behind the scenes, Amazon MGM Studios executives have begun to share updates on the future of the franchise, including when fans might realistically expect the next Bond film to hit cinemas. For now, casting remains the biggest question mark, with speculation continuing to swirl about who will take over James Bond from Daniel Craig.
The good news is, we probably won't have to wait long to find out. According to Variety, Amazon MGM Studios has officially begun casting with the of casting director Nina Gold.
“The search for the next James Bond is underway,” Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement. “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.”
When will the new James Bond film be released?
Bad news, bestie: the next James Bond film isn’t arriving in 2026… or even 2027. Instead, Amazon executives have reportedly earmarked spring 2028 for 007’s return.
Given that the most recent instalment, No Time to Die, was released in 2021 as Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond, that means a staggering seven-year gap between films. It’s officially the longest hiatus in the franchise’s history.
Previously, the record belonged to the six years and four months between Licence to Kill and GoldenEye.
Craig’s era redefined the modern Bond, following iconic predecessors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. But now, with the baton officially passed on, the future of 007 sits firmly with Amazon MGM Studios and a very patient global audience.
Known as the King of Pop, the newly-released movie about his musical career is chock-full of MJ's hits.
Who will direct the new James Bond film?
In other Bond-related news, Dune director Denis Villeneuve has officially been confirmed to take the reins of the next instalment as director.
“I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery,” he said in a statement announcing the news, describing himself as a “die-hard Bond fan” and calling the character “sacred territory.”
Reports also suggest Villeneuve has been collaborating on a story outline for the new film with Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. However, the final script draft is not expected to be completed until next winter.
Who will play the next James Bond?
Amy Pascal and David Heyman are reportedly compiling a shortlist of potential leading men to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. Meetings with candidates are expected to take place this summer.
Earlier speculation had placed Leo Woodall among the frontrunners to inherit the 007 mantle. The Bridget Jones star has even hinted at being open to “beating up some bad guys as Bond,” with his recent rise fuelled by standout performances in The White Lotus, One Day and the latest Bridget Jones instalment.
Meanwhile, James Norton — long tipped as another strong contender thanks to his role in Happy Valley — publicly shut down the rumours at the 2025 BAFTA Awards, saying: “Whoever is deciding on these odds needs to get a new job. It’s so weird and bemusing.”
There was also an April Fool's joke around Jessie Buckley as the new James Bond.
However, franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has continued to temper expectations with a notably limited update about the next Bond instalment. Speaking to Deadline, she said: “There’s nothing I can tell you about the next Bond film. There’s nothing. Nothing is happening yet.”
She has also previously addressed speculation around casting a female Bond on the Girls On Film podcast, saying, “I don’t think that we should be making films where women are playing men. I think we should be making more films about women.” She did, however, clarify that she would be open to a non-binary actor taking on the role.
With official announcements still pending and conflicting reports circulating, the future of 007 remains firmly under wraps. But according to sources close to the project, there are now said to be three clear frontrunners emerging for the role.
Last year, The Sun reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been formally offered the role of James Bond by Eon Productions.
“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 already well-versed in blockbuster franchises. In 2015, he played Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and has since appeared in a string of high-profile projects including Bullet Train, The King's Man, Tenet and The Fall Guy.
The rumour mill has also been swirling around Callum Turner. Known for Masters of the Air and the Fantastic Beasts films, Turner is increasingly seen as a serious contender for the role of James Bond, with many pointing to the effortless English charm and understated intensity he brings to his performances.
Daniel Craig’s Bond leaned into a darker, more emotionally grounded interpretation of the character, a shift from the lighter, more quippy versions played by earlier Bonds. Turner’s previous roles similarly showcase a brooding, complex edge, which is why he'd be great for the next evolution of 007.
If he's cast, do we think his girlfriend Dua Lipa might contribute to the soundtrack…? Asking for a friend.
Finally, bets are rising for Harris Dickinson to take on the role of Jame Bond. 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."
We'll keep you posted on all things related to the new James Bond film.
