While the next James Bond hasn’t been chosen yet, a few actors are leading the pack. One potential star could bring a fresh, yet strangely recognizable, take to the Bond formula. With nearly five years since the last film, No Time to Die, the producers are eager to restart the series, and the direction Daniel Craig took the character might still influence future movies.
The next James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune, and written by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. Details about the 26th installment are scarce, but the leading candidate to play the new Bond might hint at the film’s direction. It’s just a theory for now, but many fans would be thrilled if it turns out to be true.
Callum Turner as James Bond Could Mean a Daniel Craig 007 Prequel
Warner Bros.
Callum Turner, known for his roles in Fantastic Beasts and Masters of the Air, is currently the top choice to become the next James Bond. His slight resemblance to a young Daniel Craig suggests that Amazon MGM might not be looking to completely restart the Bond series. Instead of a fresh beginning, they could be aiming to continue the spirit of Craig’s portrayal with a new actor. Although Daniel Craig’s Bond character died in No Time to Die, a film set earlier in the timeline – before Casino Royale – is still a possibility.
The James Bond movie series doesn’t follow a simple timeline due to the different actors who have played the role, but one thing has remained consistent: there’s never been a prequel. While some Bond films have taken liberties with the original Ian Fleming novels, they’ve always been set after those stories. Making the next Bond film, number 26, a prequel to the Daniel Craig movies would be a new direction for the franchise, and it could be a welcome change.
The Success of Daniel Craig’s ‘James Bond’ Era Means a Canonical Prequel Would Be Logical
Sony Pictures
For a lot of fans, particularly younger ones, Daniel Craig is James Bond. Because he recently stopped playing the role, he’s still the actor most people think of, even with his work on the Knives Out films. Like with any actor leaving the part of 007, many fans are hoping he’ll come back for another movie. While Craig has made it clear he’s done, Amazon MGM can still keep the Bond franchise going by thinking outside the box.
It’s now typical for popular franchises to expand with additional stories like prequels, sequels, and spin-offs. While a completely new James Bond would generate excitement, a younger version of Daniel Craig’s Bond would likely be even more popular. Nostalgia is a huge factor in entertainment these days, and James Bond already strongly appeals to that feeling. Building on the timeline established by Daniel Craig’s first Bond film would make that nostalgic connection even stronger.
Casting Turner as a Younger Version of Daniel Craig’s Bond Would Put a Timer on His 007 Tenure
A24
A big part of what defines a James Bond actor is how long they play the role. Roger Moore is considered a classic Bond, partly because of his excellent performances and also because he appeared in seven official Bond films – more than any other actor. Daniel Craig played Bond five times, putting him behind only Sean Connery, who starred in six official films. Right now, it’s unknown whether Callum Turner will even get the role, and if he does, how long he might continue in the part.
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However, if Richard Turner were to play James Bond in a prequel set during Daniel Craig’s era, it wouldn’t make sense for his run to be very long. Daniel Craig was 38 years old when he started with Casino Royale, and Turner will be 36 in February 2026. Even if Turner portrays a younger Bond, the prequel would essentially need to lead directly into Casino Royale. This creates a problem because it would be difficult to ignore the difference between Turner’s portrayal and the Bond that Craig played in five films.
Even if they make films set earlier in the timeline with Daniel Craig’s Bond, there isn’t much opportunity for Callum Turner to have a long run as 007. The most likely scenario is a couple of movies, perhaps two or three. It’s also possible Turner could play Bond in just one film, something that hasn’t happened since George Lazenby in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
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2026-01-07 21:35