Next James Bond Odds: Taylor-Johnson Still Favourite After Director Announcement

Amazon MGM Studios announced Oscar-nominated Denis Villeneuve as the next director of the latest James Bond film, but the actor to replace Daniel Craig as 007 remains a mystery.

The Dune franchise director described himself as a "die-hard Bond fan" and intends to "honour the tradition" when he gets behind the camera for the 26th movie, but who will be on the other side of the lens?

Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the favourite for the role, according to betting sites, but there are a couple of new names in the picture.

Excitement is reaching fever-pitch levels about who will don the famous tuxedo next, so Gambling.com has been exploring the main contenders to play the leading man during Amazon's new era.

Taylor-Johnson Leads The Pack

Thirty-four-year-old Taylor-Johnson is an acclaimed English actor and the market leader to be the next James Bond.

He rose to fame as John Lennon in Nowhere Boy in 2009, followed by his lead role in Kick-Ass, showcasing a blend of charisma and grit.

Known for action roles like Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he won a Golden Globe for his chilling performance in Nocturnal Animals in 2016.

Next Actor To Play James Bond Odds

Taylor-Johnson intensified speculation that he could be the next Bond after delivering a cryptic response when questioned about his upcoming projects at the 28 Years Later premiere in London. 

When asked by US publication Deadline what he'd be doing "next" in his career, the star told the reporter: "I can't talk about it," sending 007 fans into overdrive on social media.

Since Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival film-maker Villeneuve was named as the next director, Taylor-Johnson's odds have drifted slightly to 11/8, but he is still the main man.

Gentleman James In The Running

Currently starring as Eddie Halstead in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix crime drama The Gentlemen, 40-year-old Theo James also appeared in the 2016 sci-fi film Divergent and the horror movie The Monkey.

In a 2023 interview on SiriusXM’s Jess Cagle Show, James expressed admiration for James Bond but felt he wasn’t right for the role.

He said: “I’m a big fan... but they need to do something else...a reinvention...and that wouldn’t be me.”

Whether Amazon takes a new approach remains to be seen, but if it sticks to the traditional Bond formula, the White Lotus actor remains a strong contender and is 7/2 on betting apps to be the next James Bond.

Rose-Marsh In The Running

The Outlaws actor Scott Rose-Marsh has emerged from nowhere to be 4/1 third favourite with Coral to play the iconic Bond role.

The 37-year-old from Southampton only really started acting in 2020 when he left his job in a call centre in Wales, so it would certainly be a rags to riches tale if he was picked to play the super spy.

Best known for playing criminal George Cornell in the 2021 film Code of Silence, Rose-Marsh also appeared in S4C TV drama YR Amgueddfa in the same year.

Pierre On Point

Since Netflix's 2024 release of Rebel Ridge, Aaron Pierre has emerged as a Bond contender. 

Playing a former Marine who uncovers corruption, Pierre showcases screen presence and physicality. 

The action thriller marked his breakout role, highlighting his potential as a convincing spy and fuelling speculation that he could take on the iconic role of James Bond.

The 31-year-old Londoner was 12/1 last week, but his odds have been slashed dramatically to 5/1.

Superman Star Cavill Drifts 

Known for his roles as Superman and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, Henry Cavill's blend of charm and acting prowess aligns well with the Bond character.

His recent portrayal in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, in which he plays a British special-ops veteran, further showcases his suitability for espionage roles.

Cavill's previous experience in spy films, notably his role as Napoleon Solo in The Man from UNCLE, demonstrated his ability to balance wit and intensity - qualities essential for the role of Bond.

When Jeff Bezos asked the public who they would like to see play Bond, Cavill emerged as the people's champion on the Amazon owner's Twitter feed, but his odds have drifted from 11/2 to 8/1 in recent days.

Happy Ending For Norton?

Known for his versatility, James Norton gained acclaim as psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in BBC’s Happy Valley and previously charmed ITV audiences as vicar Sidney Chambers in Grantchester. 

He showcased his range in the 2022 spy thriller Rogue Agent, portraying conman Robert Hendy-Freegard. 

Most recently, he starred in and produced ITV’s Playing Nice, where fans noted he was the only cast member not wearing a tuxedo at a gala - sparking rumours he had secured the Bond role.

Norton was one of the leading contenders last year, but he is now out to 12/1 to become the next 007.

Lowden’s Odds Drift For New Spy Gig

Jack Lowden’s star is on the ascendancy on the back of his performances as River Cartwright in award-winning British spy series Slow Horses.

Lowden’s excellent comic timing brings levity to the series, but he also packs a punch when necessary, so he has the attributes needed to play Bond.

The 34-year-old from Chelmsford also played a leading role as a fighter pilot in Christopher Nolan’s epic World War II drama Dunkirk.

The roles keep pouring in for the Scot, who was 7/1 to be the next 007, but those odds have now lengthened to 12/1.

Turner Prize On Cards?

Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner, who is in a relationship with pop star Dua Lipa, is 16/1 to land the leading role in the latest film.

Elsewhere, award-winning actor Harris Dickinson, who shone in last year's Babygirl and new release Urchin, is also 16/1, the same price as Sam C Wilson. 

The Northern Irishman is known for playing Blood in the second season of HBO series House of the Dragon and was also in recent mini-series Small Town, Big Story.