As we reach the middle of August 2026, it’s now very nearly seven long years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and drank his last vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) following the hugely -successful last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise. No spoliers, but it was quite the ending.
One thing we know for sure is that there will certainly be a sequel to No Time To Die - it will be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But there’s still no news on the final piece of the cinematic jigsaw - the actor who will take on the iconic role.
Whoever does will become only 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.
A couple of years ago it was reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the part but it turned out not to be the case.
His chances took a tumble when Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
At movie-making trade show CinemaCon earlier this year Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, addressed the casting decision, explaining: “I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond. Don’t get too excited. Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Apparently auditions are still ongoing, but it’s thought that the casting announcement will be made before the end of the year - at the very latest.
And Scot Jack Lowden is now one of the favourites after Richard Osman said on his The Rest is Entertainment podcast that he would “definitely” be the next James Bond.
Here are the 12 current leading 007 contenders and their chances of winning the part, according to bookmaker BetFred.
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5. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 9/1
'Kick-Ass' star Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemed to be a cert for the role of the world's most famous spy back in 2024 - some newspapers even suggested he had accepted the part. He's still struggling to remain in the top fve most likely candidates, with his odds now a relatively distant 9/1. | Getty Images
6. Louis Partridge - 10/1
The biggest mover in the last couple of months was English actor Louis Partridge, who rose as high as second favourite. He was a child actor who found fame in Netflix film 'Enola Holmes' starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown and (other Bond favourite) Henry Cavill. His successful acting career has continued in hit television series 'Disclaimer' and 'House of Guinness', but 007 would be a huge step up fo him. He's now priced at 10/1. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Tom Holland - 10/1
Not content with starring in two of the biggest films of 2026 - 'The Odyssey' and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' - Tom Holland has muscled his way into the running to be James Bond, with odds of 10/1. The one major issue would be finding the time in his already-packed acting schedule. | Getty Images for Sony Pictures
8. James Norton - 14/1
An actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out since the start of the year and are now sitting at 14/1. The 'Happy Valley' and 'Grantchester' actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's 'McMafia series'. | Hoda Davaine/Getty Images for Em