Place bets: Jack Lowden and Margaret Qualley ahead for next James Bond and Bond Girl
As final screen-tests for the next James Bond and Bond Girl begin, two names have leapfrogged the field to lead the bookies — guess who’s out in front.
Forget the horses and the World Cup — James Bond casting fever is back, and once again every bookie in the UK is trying to turn a profit on your wild speculation. The story this week: test screenings for the next 007 are apparently getting underway now, and you can bet (literally) on pretty much every element, from the bloke in the tux to who's crooning over the opening credits. The way folks are carrying on, you'd think Bond was handing out free martinis to punters in the high street.
Bond: Odds, Not Secrets
Let's dig into who's leading the pack to step into Daniel Craig's battered dress shoes. If you believe the rumblings and those mysterious 'close sources' (and who doesn't, eh) then we're down to three likely lads for the role: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Jack O'Connell. For good measure, I'll throw in the rest of the front-runners as the bookies see them, just to keep it scientific. No need to reach for your odds calculator — I've already translated the fractions. You're welcome.
- Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) — 62% chance (8/13 odds)
- Callum Turner (Masters of the Air) — 25% chance
- Josh O'Connor (Disclosure Day) — 13% chance
- Jack O'Connell — 8% chance
- Richard Madden — 11% chance
- Jacob Elordi — 7% chance
UK bookies are currently giving Jack Lowden better than a 3-in-5 shot at suiting up as the next Bond.
The current thinking, at least at Oddschecker, is Lowden is by far the favourite — quietly taking his shot whilst the press is distracted by shinier names. No major actor has been confirmed as actually reading for Bond (let alone making it to a proper screen test as reported), but don't let that spoil anyone's spreadsheet.
The Bond Girl Stakes
Right, onto the other half of the double act: the rumoured Bond Girl. BetOnline — specialists in turning Hollywood uncertainty into an actual numbers racket — have Margaret Qualley (The Substance, Maid) edging out the field at roughly 1-in-3 odds to land the next glamorous but probably complicated spy sidekick. Nipping at her heels are Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa), both in the 25% zone.
Next come Florence Pugh (17%), Zendaya (13%), and long shots like Lauren Sánchez (5%) and Kate Winslet (4%). A few A-list names have also been floated — Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson — but the oddsmakers have them at a distant 3% apiece. All very scientific, this.
The Theme Tune Sweepstakes
As for who gets to belt out the next Bond theme (and, well, the last few haven't exactly been Shirley Bassey class), punters are putting even money on Raye — listed at 50% odds. Behind her are Olivia Dean, Dua Lipa, Sienna Spiro, Lana Del Rey, Oasis, and Lady Gaga. Oasis? Honestly. Imagine having a Bond title sequence accompanied by 90s lad rock. Pass.