James Bond 26: Denis Villeneuve to Direct, Casting Search Underway
The 26th James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with a script by Steven Knight. Producers include Amy Pascal and David Heyman, alongside Amazon MGM Studios. This marks the first Bond film not overseen by the Broccoli family, who sold creative control to Amazon MGM in 2022 for $20 million. Casting for the new 007 is ongoing, with Callum Turner currently the frontrunner on Polymarket. Other contenders include Jacob Elordi, Louis Partridge, Henry Cavill, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Tom Hardy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Riz Ahmed, Regé-Jean Page, Idris Elba, and even Steve Buscemi and Hugh Laurie. The search for a British actor is prioritized, though past non-British Bonds include Pierce Brosnan (Irish) and George Lazenby (Australian). Age speculation ranges from a 20-something to older actors. A female Bond, such as Sandra Hüller, is reportedly not under consideration. Amazon MGM's film chief stated they are taking time to make a careful selection.
Key facts
- Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th James Bond film.
- Steven Knight is writing the screenplay.
- Producers include Amy Pascal and David Heyman, alongside Amazon MGM Studios.
- The Broccoli family no longer oversees creative direction; control passed to Amazon MGM in 2022 for $20 million.
- Callum Turner is the most bet-on candidate on Polymarket.
- Jacob Elordi is the second most bet-on candidate; if cast, he would be the youngest Bond at 29.
- Louis Partridge, aged 22, is reportedly under consideration as a 'new face'.
- Idris Elba has been a long-time fan favorite for the role since 2014.
- Riz Ahmed and Regé-Jean Page have also been discussed as potential non-white Bonds.
- A female Bond, such as Sandra Hüller, is reportedly not being considered for the next film.
Entities
Artists
- Denis Villeneuve
- Steven Knight
- Amy Pascal
- David Heyman
- Daniel Craig
- Callum Turner
- Dua Lipa
- Adele
- Billie Eilish
- Pierce Brosnan
- George Lazenby
- Jacob Elordi
- Louis Partridge
- Henry Cavill
- Tom Holland
- Harris Dickinson
- Tom Hardy
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Riz Ahmed
- Regé-Jean Page
- Idris Elba
- Steve Buscemi
- Hugh Laurie
- Sandra Hüller
- Ryan Gosling
- Roger Moore
- Sean Connery
- David Niven
- Timothy Dalton
- Barbara Broccoli
- Antoine Fuqua
- Baz Bamigboye
Institutions
- Amazon MGM Studios
- Deadline
- GQ
- Daily Mail
- Polymarket
- Variety
- AP
- Heat Magazine
- The Sun
- Esquire
- Vox
- Independent
- Netflix
- Prime Video
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
- HBO
Locations
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- California
- Hollywood
- Venice
- Italy