Everything We Know About the Next James Bond Film

The iconic MI6 agent began life on the page in Ian Fleming’s 1953 bestseller “Casino Royale,” the first of 14 Bond novels by the author. Other writers went on to publish subsequent books in the series—most recently, Charlie Higson’s “On His Majesty’s Secret Service” in 2023. (Higson’s next addition, “King Zero,” will be released in September 2026.)

Producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman acquired the film rights to Fleming’s series in 1961. Under their Eon Productions banner, they released the first Bond movie, “Dr. No,” in 1962, directed by Terence Young and starring Sean Connery. The rest is cinema history.

The franchise has turned out 27 films to date (including 1967’s “Casino Royale” and 1983’s “Never Say Never Again,” which weren’t produced by Eon). Fleming’s books have also been adapted into other mediums, including comic strips, comic books, television shows, and video games. The latest video game, “007 First Light,” which was developed by IO Interactive—the studio behind the popular “Hitman” franchise—was released on all the major gaming consoles in summer 2026.

To date, seven men have portrayed Britain’s greatest spy: 

• Sean Connery (“Dr. No,” “From Russia With Love,” “Goldfinger,” “Thunderball,” “You Only Live Twice,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Never Say Never Again”)
• David Niven (“Casino Royale”)
• George Lazenby (“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”)
• Roger Moore (“Live and Let Die,” “The Man With the Golden Gun,” “The Spy Who Loved Me,” “Moonraker,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Octopussy,” “A View to Kill”)
• Timothy Dalton (“The Living Daylights,” “Licence to Kill”)
• Pierce Brosnan (“GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough,” “Die Another Day”)
• Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Skyfall,” “Spectre,” “No Time to Die”)

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In June 2025, Variety confirmed “Dune” co-writer and director Denis Villeneuve will usher in the new Bond era for Amazon MGM Studios. Tanya Lapointe will executive produce alongside producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

As Villeneuve told the outlet, “I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.”

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the daughter and stepson of original Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli, handed the reins of the franchise to Amazon MGM Studios in February 2025, relinquishing the family’s longtime hold on the IP and affording the studio full creative control over upcoming projects.

In July 2025, Amazon announced that Steven Knight would pen the script for the upcoming film. A hardcore fan of the original novels himself, the “Peaky Blinders” creator assured 007 fans that he’s using Fleming’s text to guide his writing process. 

“There is something about the world that he created that is tangibly real, and yet it’s something that isn’t real. It's almost like dreamlike, somehow,” says Knight. “I love the style of how he writes, and the dialogue is so good, which is what I’m always looking out for. I’ve got a very particular way I want this to go. I’m working with fantastic people, the best people, and people will have to wait and see,” he says.

Villeneuve photo credit: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Craig ended his 15-year, five-film run with Cary Joji Fukunaga’s “No Time to Die” in 2021. He then hopped to another franchise, starring as country-fried private investigator Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” series.

Since Craig’s exit, however, rumors have run rampant about who will take his place. According to a Variety report published in May, Amazon MGM Studios has begun auditioning Craig’s potential Bond successors. 

“The search for the next James Bond is underway,” the company confirmed 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.”

Countless outlets have published their own wish lists, with many placing Taylor-Johnson (“Kraven the Hunter”) among their top contenders. Idris Elba (“Hijack”), James Norton (“Mr. Jones”), Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel”), and Callum Turner (“Masters of the Air”) have also been rumored to be part of the mix. Variety reported that Amazon MGM Studios and Villeneuve want to skew younger than the mid-30s age range Broccoli and Wilson would’ve preferred. 

In fact, the team reportedly has three young actors in mind, all of whom are currently in their late 20s: Jacob Elordi (“Saltburn”), Tom Holland (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”), and Harris Dickinson (“Babygirl”). However, with a projected 2028 release date on the calendar, each of these men will be in their 30s by then, so perhaps it’s not unlikely that one will nab the coveted role.

Of course, as GQ noted, Amazon MGM Studios’ desire to usher in a younger lead might be part of its strategy to get a leg up before Fleming’s works enter the public domain in 2035. Other creators could soon have the freedom to adapt these classic stories themselves, but by establishing its own 007 universe—in the form of films, series, and spinoffs, no less—the team could retain its dominance and authority as the source for all Bond-related entertainment. The company has the necessary financial backing to fulfill such long-reaching predictions, after all.

That said, there’s always the possibility that the role could go to a woman. Lashana Lynch, who took over the 007 code name in “No Time To Die,” tops the shortlist of female actors who could potentially take over the franchise; other possible female Bonds include T’nia Miller, Lydia West, Suranne Jones, Emilia Clarke, Emily Blunt, Jodie Comer, Lily James, Daisy Ridley, Cate Blanchett, and Karen Gillan.

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Oscar-nominated CD Nina Gold (“Hamnet,” “The Crown,” “Game of Thrones”) has been tapped to find the next James Bond, according to Variety.

While Gold did not comment on her involvement, Amazon MGM’s head of film, Courtenay Valenti, told the CinemaCon audience, “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,” she said. “What I can tell you is this: When you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team…you’re setting the stage for something that’s truly worthy of the Bond legacy. That film is coming, and when the time is right, we’ll have much more to share.”

For those who are interested in the Bond opportunities to come, here’s Gold’s best audition advice.

Debbie McWilliams was responsible for much of the Bond franchise, beginning with 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only,” casting 13 films total, but the CD opted to retire from the entertainment industry ahead of Amazon MGM Studios’ takeover. 

Despite the fact that McWilliams won’t have a hand in choosing the next 007, there’s plenty that actors can learn from her decades as the franchise’s resident CD. As she told Entertainment Weekly in 2021, she was always on the lookout for “somebody who can hold their own, who is attractive, physical, capable of taking on not just the part but all the razzmatazz that goes with it.”

But she also emphasized that hers was a tough test to ace. “It’s a pretty rigorous process; it goes on for quite a considerable time,” she shared. “Lots of people are considered and then rejected for one reason or another. Then it comes down to two or three choices, and those people usually have to do a screen test and stunt assessment, and they have to meet everybody.” 

She continued, “It’s a committee decision between the producers, the studio, and the director, but it’s usually very much down to the Broccoli family. They’re pretty much in control. But I don’t think they’ve ever cast someone who the studio absolutely didn’t want them to cast. It’s not something that happens overnight, shall we say.”

Gold has expressed the same sentiment about rejection regarding her past projects. “If they don’t get the part, it’s not because they did something terrible or wrong or they were bad. It’s normally not that; it’s just such a delicate, hard-to-define thing that makes one person more right than the other nine people. That thing is really hard to determine,” she told us. “There are certain factors about the way that the part and the actor are right for each other that has nothing to do with your audition. It doesn’t mean that the fact that you didn’t get the part is because you’re not talented or great. It’s because there was something else that was more of a perfect fit with someone else. Each situation really is unique.”

A new team might be in charge now, but with so many established names in consideration, we’d say it’s just as competitive as ever to land this role.

Courtesy IO Interactive

Here are our guides to other franchises famous for having a rotating lead (and how to excel in the eyes of Amazon MGM Studios while you’re at it): 

• How to Get Cast on ‘Doctor Who’
• How to Get Cast in a ‘Spider-Man’ Movie
• How to Audition for Amazon Prime Video

For such a high-profile production, we recommend securing representation, as these industry insiders could help you get your foot in the door. Don’t have an agent? Here’s how to get one.