It’s four years since Daniel Craig starred in the last James Bond No Time To Die, and we now know the next film will be directed by Canadian Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But, depite years of rumour and gossip, we still don’t know who will be playing the world’s most famous spy - in ‘Bond 26’.
It had been though that the role had been bagged by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but the recruitment process was thrown into turmoil after Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have effectively handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
In recent months several star names have led the pack, with the race too close to call at the moment.
With the announcement imminent, we’re looking at the 12 actors with the best chance of playing 007 - with three in particular now leading the charge.
9. Tom Holland - 25/1
Another actor not even in the conversation when it came to the next Bond until earlier this year is Tom Holland - with current odds of 25/1. His casting would make perfect sense if the film was to look at the early life of the superspy - but would Holland have time between playing the lead in the Spider-Man films? He's currently filming the latest one in Glasgow. | Getty Images
10. Aaron Pierre - 25/1
An actor who wasn't even in the frame at the start of the year, but who became one of the favourites to play 007, only to see his odds slide in recent weeks is Aaron Pierre. The English actor found fame in television scifi 'Krypton' and has gone on to star in films such as 'Old', 'Rebel Ridge' and 'Mufasa: The Lion King'. He's now priced at 25/1, having been as low as 5/1. | | Kate Green/Getty Images for The | Getty Images for BET
11. James Norton - 25/1
An actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out to 25/1 in recent weeks and are stubbornly refusing to narrow. The 'Happy Valley' and 'Grantchester' actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's 'McMafia series'. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Sam C. Wilson - 25/1
Also a 25/1 shot is 'House of the Dragon' actor Sam C. Wilson. He's also appeared on the big screen in 'Dodger', 'Deep Cover' and Blade Runner. If the casting directors are looking to cast a relative unknown then he could be their man. | Contributed