Next Bond Girl Odds: Pugh Favourite After Villeneuve Confirmed As Director

Fans of the James Bond film franchise have waited patiently for updates about the next film, ever since 007 appeared to meet his maker in No Time To Die. 

The 2021 movie spelled the end of Daniel Craig's time as the suave spy, and while the new Bond is yet to be confirmed, the next as-yet untitled film in the series has a director. 

Step forward Denis Villeneuve, who had been in contention on betting sites to land the film-maker's role. 

Following the Dune director's appointment by Amazon MGM Studios, who now have creative control of the franchise, there's been plenty of speculation about who might fill some of the other roles.

While the term 'Bond Girl' appears to be fading out, there will no doubt be a female lead in the next 007 movie, and there has been plenty of market movement surrounding who could land that part.  

Nice To Meet Pugh, Florence 

Florence Pugh has taken over as favourite on betting apps to be the next Bond Girl, at 11/8. 

She is no stranger to working alongside Villeneuve, having done so recently in his epic space opera motion picture Dune: Part Two. 

Pugh appeared alongside former Bond stars Lea Seydoux, Christopher Walken and Dave Bautista in the film, and she has previously expressed a desire to follow in their footsteps in the franchise. 

While Pugh once ruled out being the first female Bond, she has signalled her interest in portraying a spy. 

Next Bond Girl Odds:

She aptly told Digital Spy: "I think everyone's always interested in playing a spy, right? 

"That's something we grow up admiring, which is so strange, but it's just a very clever and quick world that we all want to be a part of."

Pugh's Dune: Part Two co-star Zendaya - who was directed by Villeneuve in the two Dune movies - is also in contention to be the next Bond Girl, at 6/4.

She has also been produced by new Bond producer Amy Pascal in several movies, including last year's tennis film Challengers.

Paloma's Return? 

Ana de Armas has been there and done it in terms of appearing in a Bond movie, after starring as Paloma in No Time To Die - and she could be back for more. 

She is no stranger to working for Villeneuve, after portraying Joi in his 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049. 

If the director is looking for a safe pair of hands for his upcoming Bond movie then he could look to de Armas to reprise her role. 

Another actress who has been directed by Villeneuve in the past is Rebecca Ferguson, who appeared in Dune and Dune: Part Two, and it wouldn't be a surprise if she reunited with the film-maker for his Bond debut. 

She is 5/2 to do so, just behind Harry Potter star Emma Watson (2/1). 

It was recently revealed Amazon MGM Studios had appointed new Bond producers in the shape of David Heyman, who produced all eight Harry Potter movies, and Pascal, who was behind the three latest Spider-Man films. 

Both Heyman and Little Women producer Pascal are no strangers to Watson's previous work. 

Bond Girl Barbie 

Margot Robbie has also teamed up with Heyman in the past, including on the 2023 movie Barbie - in which Robbie portrayed the titular doll - and 2019 comedy-drama film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 

She is 3/1 to be the female lead in the next Bond movie, and half the price of outsider Saoirse Ronan, who could sneak further into contention. 

Not only has the Irish actress been produced by Pascal in Little Women, in which she starred opposite her Bond Girl competition Pugh and Watson, she has also expressed interest in joining the franchise in the past. 

Other potential Bond Girls include The White Lotus actress Sydney Sweeney (8/1) and Back to Black star Marisa Abela (10/1).

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.