July 21, 2025: The search for the next James Bond is intensifying, with Amazon reportedly aiming for a 2028 release (or sooner if quality isn’t compromised) for the 26th installment of the iconic spy franchise. With Denis Villeneuve, known for films like Dune and Arrival, locked in as director, speculation about who will don the 007 mantle is reaching a fever pitch.
A Variety story claims that Amazon has two main criteria for the next James Bond: the actor must be under 30 and British. Three Gen-Z-coded names have emerged as top choices based on this criterion:
- 28-year-old Jacob Elordi is well-known for his parts in Saltburn and Euphoria. According to reports, the studio is willing to overlook Elordi’s Australian nationality, indicating that he could be a formidable candidate.
- Harris Dickinson (age 29): renowned for his roles in movies such as The Iron Claw, Babygirl, and Triangle of Sadness. Dickinson satisfies the studio’s primary nationality criterion because she is British.
- Tom Holland (29 years old): The Spider-Man alum and British actor also meets the age and nationality criteria.
These new names add an exciting twist to the long-running 007 race. Previously, the frontrunners for the role after Daniel Craig’s retirement (who is 57 years old) included:
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson (35 years old): Known for Kraven the Hunter and Bullet Train. He has been a consistent name in the discussions.
- Idris Elba (52 years old): Recently seen in Heads of State. While a popular choice among fans for years, his age might be a factor given Amazon’s reported preference for younger talent.
- Henry Cavill (42 years old): The Superman alum and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Star has long been a fan favorite and previously auditioned for the role.
The addition of younger talent raises the possibility of a change in the franchise’s direction, even though these well-known actors are still being considered.
In addition to playing the protagonist, recent media sources indicate that Sydney Sweeney, who starred in Immaculate and Anyone But You, is being given serious consideration to be the next Bond girl. However, it has been stated that the internet has reacted negatively to this rumor.
Fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the next James Bond face, but nothing is finalized until Amazon issues an official statement.