As we enter November 2026, it’s now over seven years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo following his fifth and final starring role in the James Bond franchise.
We’ve know for for some time now that there will certainly be sequel to No Time To Die, directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay writter by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But we still don’t know who will take on the iconic role, becoming the eighth actor to play 007 following Sean Connery (the best, obviously), David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
It seems like an age since 2024, when it was widely reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had bagged the part but it turned out not to be the case.
He appears to now be all-but out of the running now that Amazon MGM Studios have taken over ‘full creative control’ of the frachaise.
Last month it was reported that four actors were invited for a final screentest earlier this month - namely Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and a mystery fourth wannabe-superspy.
Lowden had earlier become favourite after Richard Osman said Jack Lowden would be the next Bond in his The Rest is Entertainment podcast.
But he may have spoken prematurely as it seems that a final decision has yet to be made and a couple of brand new names have entered the frame in the last couple of weeks.
Here are the 12 actors now leading the charge to play Bond, according to Coral Bookmakers.
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9. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 12/1
Aaron Taylor-Johnson had previously been favourite to become the next Bond for months, following news reports that he had agreed to play the iconic role. There's been silence since though, and the lack of an official announcement has cast doubt on his involvement - particularly since Amazon took over creative control of the franchise. Best known for playing the title character in the 'Kick-Ass' films, Taylor-Johnson also starred opposite Brad Pitt in 'Bullet Train' and in horror sequel '28 Years Later'. He's not quite out of the running yet, but is now priced at a relatively long 12/1. | Getty Images
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10. Harris Dickinson - 12/1
Harris Dickinson has had a string of acclaimed film roles in his short career to date, including 'Baby Girl', 'The King's Man', 'Triangle of Sadness', 'Where the Crawdads Sing', and 'The Iron Claw'. His directorial debut 'Urchin' premiered at the 2025 London Film Festival. He was challenging to be the favourite at one point last year, but he's now drifted out to 12/1. | Getty Images for BAFTA
11. Jacob Elordi - 14/1
The favourite to be a non-British Bond is Jacob Elordi, who was Oscar nominated earlier this year for his role as at the monster in 'Frankenstein' - the Guillermo del Toro film that was shot in Scotland. He would certainly be a buzzy choice for Bond after shooting to fame in 'Saltburn' - and made another splash in director Emerald Fennell's followup 'Wuthering Heights'. His odds seem to be lengthening by the day and now sit at 14/1. Could he now be out of the running? | Getty Images for The Walt Disney
12. Paul Mescal - 16/1
Irish actor Paul Mescal shot to fame in television series 'Normal People' and his since become one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. He's set to star as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' four-part Beatles biopic and is hotly tipped to win the Best Actor Oscar at next year's Academy Awards for his performance in theatrical drama 'Elsinore'. He's maybe the actor on this list who least needs to play Bond, and is a 16/1 outsider. | Getty Images for Focus Features