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After landing Denis Villeneuve as director and Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight as writer, the next James Bond movie is now focusing on the most critical piece of the puzzle – who will play 007 himself.
Since Daniel Craig’s departure following 2021’s No Time To Die, speculation has run wild about who might don the tuxedo next. The rumor mill has churned out numerous contenders – Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Aaron Pierre, Damson Idris, and Harris Dickinson have all been linked to the iconic role.
But there’s a new name leading the pack.
Callum Turner – currently better known as pop star Dua Lipa’s fiancé – has emerged as the betting favorite to become the next James Bond. The Fantastic Beasts actor has been in the conversation before, but his recent performance opposite Elizabeth Olsen in the romantic comedy Eternity has apparently given him the edge over other candidates.
According to Coral bookmakers, Turner is now the “red hot” favorite for the coveted role. “We’ve been knocked over with support for Callum Turner in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours,” explained Coral’s John Hill. Turner’s odds have dramatically improved, slashed from 5-2 to 7-4 to become the next 007. The Standard first reported the betting shift.
The timing suggests fans shouldn’t expect production to begin anytime soon. Villeneuve is currently finishing post-production work on Dune: Part Three – scheduled for theatrical release on December 18, 2026. This likely pushes Bond filming to Summer 2026 or later.
This 26th installment in the legendary franchise will mark a significant milestone as the first Bond film under Amazon MGM Studios’ complete control, following their acquisition of the rights earlier this year. The studio will be looking to make a strong statement with their first outing with Britain’s most famous fictional spy.
