Star Wars Fan Favorite Poised to Become 007’s Next Big Bad
A Star Wars alum is the frontrunner to be Bond’s next big bad, with a recent Oscar winner and a Masters of the Universe star also in the mix as Amazon MGM Studios gears up for the next 007 chapter.
If you pay any attention to the latest 007 chatter, you’ll know the rumour mill’s already in hyperdrive over who’s set to face off against James Bond in his newest cinematic outing. In typical Bond style, no actual casting info has been announced—and everything else is being kept under lock and key. That said, the bookies and prediction markets are having a field day, with some frankly odd and intriguing names in the mix for villain duties. Here’s where things stand, and yes—there’s a hefty Star Wars connection.
Where Are We With The New Bond?
First off: Amazon MGM Studios are steering the ship for the next Bond film, while Denis Villeneuve—who’s barely got the sand out of his shoes from Dune—is set to direct. Not a single casting announcement yet, and plot details are still being kept more secret than Bond’s real name. Meanwhile, Villeneuve’s got to finish up Dune: Part Three (landing in US cinemas this summer) before he tackles any shaken-not-stirred business. So, don’t expect Bond back on screens for a while.
The Prediction League: Who’s the Favourite?
If you fancy the odds, Kalshi’s prediction market has been keeping tabs on fan and pundit guesses for the new villain. And the current front-runner? That’d be Adam Driver—yep, ex-Kylo Ren himself—with a frankly ridiculous 97% chance, according to their numbers. Worth remembering, these figures aren’t coming from EON or Amazon, just punters and online guesswork. Still, it says something about the appetite for a Star Wars-to-Bond baddie crossover.
- Adam Driver – 97% (Best known for Star Wars, but also an Oscar nominee for BlacKkKlansman and Marriage Story; he’s also showing up in James Gray’s Paper Tiger after a Cannes debut last month. Not short on credentials.)
- Cillian Murphy – 28% (Swinging in hot post-Oscar win, presumably for his turn in Oppenheimer)
- Idris Elba – 21% (Has been rumoured for Bond in every possible role except Moneypenny; now he’s a villain candidate too)
- Barry Keoghan – 9% (The man pops up in everything these days; wouldn’t be a shock, honestly)
- Oscar Isaac – 8% (Another Star Wars vet; he could absolutely pull off villainy with style)
- Rosamund Pike – 6% (It’s been a minute since her turn in Gone Girl, but she’s no stranger to darker roles)
- Peter Dinklage – 5% (Because why not, apparently)
Before anyone starts imagining Driver twirling a moustache or monologuing in a laser lair, a reminder: none of this is remotely official. These are predictions, not announcements. But they do reflect where fan speculation—and perhaps a bit of wishful thinking—is heading. And yes, it’s a neat twist for the next Bond villain to be most tipped as a bloke known for wielding a lightsabre. Bond’s world has always had a whiff of the surreal, but this feels especially on the nose.
A Quick Word on Adam Driver’s CV
Beyond Kylo Ren, Driver’s got a couple of Oscar nominations under his belt for BlacKkKlansman and Marriage Story. He’s already keeping busy—he’s just had a film, Paper Tiger, premiere at Cannes 2026 (no time machines involved, apparently just a scheduling quirk). So if the bookies are onto something, he’d come to the Bond role with a bit more indie credibility than your average blockbuster villain.