James Bond Casting Shortlist Leaked

Discussions about who might take on the role of James Bond in future films have been ongoing for quite some time, even before Daniel Craig’s final appearance as the character in 2021’s No Time to Die. However, the speculation intensified significantly following the release of that film.

Four years on, there’s yet no formal announcement about the actor cast for the role. But, we seem to be edging closer to a decision.

Since Amazon finalized its ownership of the franchise, we’ve seen a continuous stream of updates about Bond 26.

Initially, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman were involved. Later, it became known that Denis Villeneuve agreed to take up the director’s role.

Currently, there’s a buzz-worthy piece published by Variety that claims to unveil Amazon’s desired actor for the upcoming James Bond role, sparking conversations everywhere.

The studio appears to have an interest in three young actors below the age of 30: Harris Dickinson, Tom Holland, and Jacob Elordi.

What’s the likelihood that any of these three candidates might secure the position in the future? Also, who else could possibly be contenders for the job if the studio decides to explore alternative options?

Read on for a selection and breakdown of the rumoured contenders.

Who will play James Bond in Denis Villeneuve’s movie? Rumours explained

Harris Dickinson

Currently, Dickinson seems to be a strong contender for the role of Bond, with a high likelihood of assuming the position if Variety’s report is accurate and he is among Amazon’s top three choices. Among the three, he appears to be the most fitting to portray 007.

In addition to demonstrating his spy abilities in The King’s Man, this role isn’t one that he’s commonly associated with, which is advantageous because the studio needs assurance that he can deliver, while also avoiding fan comparisons to other characters during the new Bond film.

Over time, he’s demonstrated an impressive versatility, either diving into lighter genres such as See How They Run and Triangle of Sadness, or taking on deeper, emotional characters in The Iron Claw and Scrapper.

Yet, considering his diverse range of projects, from lesser-known films to more prominent ones, it raises some doubt about his readiness to join the massive Bond film series.

In a conversation with Kermode and Mayo’s Take in 2023 regarding the release of Scrapper, he expressed his preference for working on smaller film productions, describing them as more manageable and providing an opportunity to produce high-quality work.

Indeed, it could very likely remain so until Bond arrives at your doorstep – an esteemed British tradition that might prove difficult to resist.

Tom Holland

It’s been noted that Holland is among Amazon’s leading choices for the role, and in numerous aspects, he appears to meet the requirements. His youth seems to play a significant part in the studio’s selection process.

He’s not just a Brit, which is advantageous for playing Bond, but he’s already a highly popular figure. Given his massive fan base, Amazon wouldn’t need to look far for an established audience if they wanted to extend their appeal past Bond enthusiasts, and that would be Holland.

Nevertheless, there are several points that could potentially hinder his success, with the primary issue being the strong association he already has with another popular cultural figure – Spider-Man.

Indeed, Tom Holland continues to portray Spider-Man, a role that seems set to endure for a while longer. His fourth film is already scheduled for release next year, and there are still two more Avengers movies where we might see him feature.

Is it plausible for audiences to imagine a character combining the roles of James Bond and Spider-Man simultaneously? Moreover, their disparate personalities make such a crossover less likely. Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker has been characterized by an energetic youthfulness over the years.

The group responsible for the upcoming Bond movie might consider casting a more youthful actor for the role, but they’re probably reluctant to veer too much from the established template of the character.

However, it remains to be seen! He’s demonstrated versatility in movies such as Cherry, so if the rumors about Holland being among Amazon’s preferred choices are true, perhaps we’ll witness an entirely new facet of him as the potential next 007.

Jacob Elordi

Elordi is among the three actors that Amazon has highlighted as potential choices for the role, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Apart from being a rapidly ascending star on his own, he’s shown genuine enthusiasm for the role, even expressing delight when whispers about him playing the character were circulated as “wonderful.

Similar to Dickinson, Elordi is also an actor who has diversified his portfolio with numerous projects. Although he gained prominence as Nate from Euphoria and Felix from Saltburn, he hasn’t been confined to a single character or stereotype, demonstrating versatility in his roles.

In theory, it might seem like his nationality as an Australian could be a barrier; but Variety’s article suggests that, despite Amazon seeking a British lead, an Australian actor is still a possibility. This is because, historically, George Lazenby, another Australian, has portrayed the role.

One area where Elordi might lack considerable practice is taking action, as compared to many others on this list who have demonstrated their competence in that domain, Elordi could be considered relatively inexperienced or unproven.

If he portrays a Bond starting early in his career, it might not be a terrible idea after all.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Not so long ago, there was a period when it appeared as if we were on the brink of announcing Taylor-Johnson as the new James Bond.

Indeed, that particular scenario didn’t materialize, but significant events have transpired since then, with one of the most notable being Amazon securing creative control over the franchise.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself pondering over the intriguing circumstances surrounding Daniel Craig’s potential return as James Bond. It seems there were whispers about him being on the verge of reprising his iconic role, but something halted that from happening. Was he a preferred choice for either the former producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, or Amazon Studios, but not both? If so, understanding which party held more sway could significantly impact Craig’s future prospects in the Bond franchise.

Despite this, the article from Variety implies that Taylor-Johnson has been ruled out because he’s too old. However, it seems the studio is aiming for someone under 30 instead, though Taylor-Johnson himself is just 35 years old.

If Amazon selects him for the project, it will be evident why he was chosen. Taylor-Johnson is well-known, yet not so famous that he would eclipse the role. Moreover, he has spearheaded big franchise productions, and played significant roles in notable action movies such as Kick-Ass, Tenet, Bullet Train, and more recently, 28 Years Later.

Austin Butler

It might appear that Butler is an unconventional choice for the role, but his prospects could significantly increase given his past collaboration with the director of the latest Bond movie, Denis Villeneuve.

In a natural and easy-to-understand manner: Butler collaborated with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Two for 2024; however, despite his age, he’s one of the few actors who could potentially be considered for the role, although he is slightly older than the studio’s ideal candidate, which seems to be an actor under thirty years old.

Apart from Timothée Chalamet, it appears that another young actor, Blake Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds (Ryan Butler), is a stronger candidate for the role, given Villeneuve’s history of work with him. If Villeneuve has any influence over casting decisions and prefers to collaborate with actors he has directed previously, then Butler could be his first choice.

Nevertheless, we might find him an unconventional pick, mainly because he is American. Notably, it has been observed that the studio prefers a British or, if not available, an Australian actor for this role. It goes without saying that casting an American as the renowned British spy could stir up some controversy.

Jack Lowden

According to Amazon’s requirements for choosing the next Bond actor, Lowden might be considered a bit too old, similar to Taylor-Johnson. Just like Taylor-Johnson, Lowden is around 35 years old.

Indeed, if you’re seeking an individual who has demonstrated versatility, impressive acting skills, charisma, and the knack for action sequences, I can confidently recommend Lowden as a top contender.

Additionally, he brings a background in the spy genre, which could be both beneficial and challenging. Since 2022, Lowden has portrayed Slough House agent River Cartwright on Slow Horses, causing viewers to ponder if perhaps Christopher Walken’s Jackson Lamb from the Bond series might soon make an appearance.

Additionally, Slow Horses presents a unique perspective on espionage, offering a more comedic and decidedly unglamorous approach compared to the traditional style of the James Bond series.

He doesn’t feel envious about their task of replacing him, as he firmly believes that he remains the same person. He was someone I grew up with, and that’s who he will always be to me, he concluded.

However, he didn’t deny an interest, and has elsewhere called the rumour “lovely”.

Is there enough time for him? At this point, we can’t definitively say how long the Slow Horses series will last, and it could potentially carry on for a while longer. Considering his role in the Apple TV+ show and the Bond series, it appears that Lowden might struggle to manage both simultaneously.

Dev Patel

Just like Taylor-Johnson, Lowden, and others, Patel falls into the age range of being in his mid-30s. However, due to this, some speculate that he may no longer meet Amazon’s alleged age requirements.

Yet, he undeniably demonstrated his directing skills for the first time with Monkey Man, and there’s little question that he possesses the charm and weight necessary to carry it off convincingly.

Apart from being unexpected, he might add an element of surprise. For quite a while now, Taylor-Johnson and Lowden have been linked to gossip as possible main actors. While Patel’s name comes up occasionally, it is less common to see him on lists like this one.

Similar to Dickinson, there might lie a significant challenge concerning his genuine enthusiasm for the role. In regard to promoting Monkey Man, Patel expressed, “I don’t aspire to be James Bond; rather, I yearn to be Monkey Man.

It appears quite assertive. However, expressing such conviction might be different during an interview compared to if Amazon presented an actual opportunity.

2025-07-04 09:35