The favorite to be the next James Bond just surged ahead in the reboot race

Five years on from the last Bond outing and you’d think we’d at least have a fresh 007 by now. But no, Amazon are still keeping their cards close to their chest about who’s getting the famous Walther PPK. There’s the usual noise from fans rooting for Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy or Idris Elba—lads, let it go, it’s not happening. Instead, we’re now watching a new frontrunner slipping ahead, and odds are suddenly pointing a direction most people hadn’t clocked.

Who’s Steering the Next Bond?

First off, the next film proper—Bond 26—now has some serious names behind the camera. Denis Villeneuve, who did a tidy job on Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct. Meanwhile, Steven Knight (the bloke who brought us Peaky Blinders) is in charge of the script. Details on the story? Still tightly under wraps, but rumblings suggest they’re going back to basics with an origin story. That suits Villeneuve’s style, frankly—and lines up with what we’ve seen in the recent 007: First Light video game reboot, so it’s not just film getting the reset.

The Speculation Game

If you’ve been following the Bond rumour mill, it’s not exactly been short of theories and supposed leaks. Scattered reports are claiming the next Bond actor has practically been shouting it from the rooftops, calling it ‘the worst-kept secret going’. I’d kill for half the certainty these ‘sources’ have.

The Bookies’ Table: Who’s Actually in Contention?

• Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts, Masters of the Air): Now the clear favourite, with his odds spiking to 58% on the actual prediction markets (Kalshi, if you’re the sort who checks). Not just a name pulled from a hat—his recent roles have showcased a decent blend of action, charm, and he knows how to wear a suit, which frankly counts more than people think. Worth noting: he bears a resemblance to Hoagy Carmichael, allegedly the original look for Fleming’s Bond. The catch? Turner is 36, just two years shy of Daniel Craig’s age when he started, which might be pushing it for an ‘origin story’ angle. Plus, he’s lined up for other big gigs (including Apple’s Neuromancer), so scheduling could be a nightmare.
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later): Still in the hunt, with 24% odds. He’s been whispered about for months, but nothing solid.
• Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein): Landing at about 21%. An Oscar nominee, but still an outside shot compared to Turner’s current surge.

What’s the Deal with Callum Turner?

Despite the increasing odds and industry whispering, Callum Turner isn’t exactly confirming anything. He addressed the talk recently, saying:

‘It's such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing.’

In short, all the momentum is with Turner, but it’s not a done deal, and a few obstacles remain. No matter how much the rumour mill churns, until someone actually hands him the keys to the Aston, it’s just speculation.