Next James Bond Odds: Theo James Takes Over As Favourite For 007 Role

Speculation about who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond in the next film is reaching fever pitch now that Amazon has taken control of the franchise.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been leading the pack on and off since Craig's departure and reportedly impressed long-time producer Barbara Broccoli during a screen test three years ago.

But everything has changed since it was announced that Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be the movie's new producers, prompting betting sites to adjust their odds as film buffs debate who will don the tuxedo next.

As the new production team prepare to shape the future of 007, the world is watching closely to see who will play Bond in the 26th movie.

One thing is certain: whoever lands the role will be stepping into the immaculately polished shoes of one of cinema’s most iconic characters.

Gambling.com takes a look at the names in the frame as fans wait to find out what plans Amazon have for Bond's future.

Gentleman James Heads Bond Field

Theo James is the new 11/4 favourite to play 007 after a wave of bets towards the end of March prompted betting apps to slash their odds from 8/1. 

James plays alongside Taylor-Johnson in upcoming heist thriller Fuze which will eventually be released by Sky Cinema, possibly this year.

The 40-year-old from High Wycombe certainly has the looks and sophisticated voice to play Bond, and he has proved his versatility with a range of roles over the years. 

Rising to prominence as Tobias Eaton in the film trilogy Divergent between 2014-16, James’ performances went down a storm with teenagers.

More recently he shone as Cameron Sullivan in the second series of HBO’s The White Lotus which won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble.

James found a new army of fans in Guy Ritchie’s black comedy The Gentleman in which he plays Eddie Horniman, recently named the Duke of Halstead in his father’s will.

In an interview on the Jess Cagle Show on radio station SiriusXM in 2023, James admitted he loves James Bond, but thinks he wouldn't be right for the part.

He said: "I’m a big fan of the concept of it. I loved Casino Royale and some of the Sean Connery movies, but I think they need to do something else. They need to really go with a reinvention of it in a different way and that wouldn’t be me.”

Whether Amazon decides to take a different approach remains to be seen, but if it sticks with a winning formula, then James looks to be in the frame.

Next Actor To Play James Bond Odds

Odds correct as of April 23, 2025 at 11.30am

Superman Star Cavill Second Favourite

Henry Cavill remains 4/1 to succeed Craig, but he has been overtaken by James in the race to play the world's most famous spy.

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

His recent portrayal in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, during 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 U.N.C.L.E., demonstrated his ability to balance wit and intensity - qualities essential for the role of Bond. 

If that wasn't enough, when Amazon boss Jeff Bezos asked fans on social media who they’d like to take up the licence to kill next, the overwhelming response from fans was Cavill.

The star has been very open in recent years about his interest in playing Bond and now he’s finally spoken out on the matter for the first time since the Amazon bombshell news.

He was asked point-blank about Bond at the recent Cheltenham Festival with an ITV reporter saying: “Superman today, but who knows, maybe a licence to thrill in the future? Time will tell?” 

The actor replied: “Time indeed will tell. Let’s watch this space.”

Taylor-Johnson Still In The Picture

After the esteem that Craig was held in during his stint as Bond, Amazon will understandably be very careful about who they select to take on this iconic part.

One candidate is 34-year-old Englishman Taylor-Johnson, whom The Sun claimed in March 2024 had been formally offered the job.

Nothing has been confirmed, though, for the actor who has featured in films such as Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tenet and Bullet Train.

He also portrayed John Lennon in Nowhere Boy and won a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his role in Nocturnal Animals.

The lead in Danny Boyle's upcoming post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Years Later, Taylor-Johnson certainly has the star quality to play Bond and is 5/1 with William Hill for the role.

Happy Ending For Norton?

James Norton was the outright favourite to play the famous British spy at one stage, but he now finds a few candidates in front of him in the queue.

An actor whose versatility has earned him plenty of TV and film roles over the years, he is perhaps best known for playing psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in hit BBC series Happy Valley.

Before then, the Yorkshireman charmed ITV audiences for the first four series of detective drama Grantchester in which he played Anglican vicar Sidney Chambers.

However, Norton also proved himself in 2022 spy film Rogue Agent playing Robert Hendy-Freegard, a convicted fraudster who tricked and convinced several people that he was an MI5 agent.

He recently starred in and produced the ITV thriller Playing Nice during which some viewers noticed he was the only cast member not donning a tuxedo at a gala.

That prompted speculation Norton had signed a contract to play 007 in the next film. 

The long-time frontrunner for the Bond gig for some time is now 7/1 with Betfred.

Lowden Slashed 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 14/1 to be the next 007, but those odds have been cut in half and now stand at 7/1.

Dickinson Fits The Bill

At 28, Harris Dickinson would appear to be the ideal candidate to be named the next James Bond. 

He has age on his side, which will provide continuity in the role and he could wear the tuxedo for a number of movies. 

In 2021, Dickinson starred in the third chapter of the Kingsman film series - The King's Man, which earned him a BAFTA nomination in the rising star category. 

More recently, he starred in Babygirl, an erotic drama with Nicole Kidman playing a high-powered CEO who embarks on an affair with a younger man, played by Dickinson.

Dickinson was 9/1 to be named the next James Bond, but his odds have since lengthened to 14/1.

Josh O’Connor Sliding Out Of Contention

The viewing public first became aware of Josh O’Connor’s talent in a few episodes of Peaky Blinders in 2014 and then his role as a sheep farmer in the award-winning God’s Own Country three years later.

But, his recent portrayal of Prince Charles in two seasons of The Crown raised his profile to new heights and his career continues to go from strength to strength.

The 34-year-old from Southampton was recently linked with the role of Bond by The Hollywood Reporter which predicted the Challengers actor would be the next Bond to be announced in its list of “educated guesses” for 2025.

O’Connor was not even in the conversation at the start of December, but a casual tip from a media brand specialising in the entertainment industry meant he became a surprising 6/4 favourite, but his odds have since drifted massively to 16/1.

Martin Has Scot What It Takes

Could the relatively unknown Stuart Martin follow in the footsteps of fellow Scotsman Sean Connery and play Bond?

Martin was said to have been in talks with EON Productions, owned by previous Bond producers Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, but Amazon now call the shots and his chances may have diminished.

The 39-year-old from Ayr first rose to prominence as Tony in comedy series Babylon, but he is perhaps best known for playing Detective Inspector William Wellington in the first four seasons of period crime drama Miss Scarlet and The Duke.

Martin is 20/1 to be the next 007.

Turner Prize On The Cards?

Callum Turner, in his mid-thirties, is young enough to perhaps play Bond for a number of movies, bringing continuity to the role. 

Turner has twice been nominated for a BAFTA for Breakthrough Brit in 2014 and for Best Actor in 2020 for his role in The Capture, a British mystery thriller directed by Ben Chanan. 

The actor, who is dating pop sensation Dua Lipa, featured in The Only Living Boy in New York in 2017 and played a leading role in the Fantastic Beasts film series.

Turner's prospects of playing Bond next look to be diminishing however, and he is now 25/1 to land the role.

Mescal Could Shoot To Thrill

Paul Mescal burst onto our screens as Connell in a TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-seller Normal People.

The Irishman has time on his side at just 29 and he would perhaps be in the crosshairs of the Bond production team if they decide to revamp the suave British spy as a sensitive soul.

That said, Mescal bulked up for his role as Lucius Verus in Ridley Scott’s star-studded sequel Gladiator II which hit cinema screens in November.

Gaining 18 pounds of muscle on a diet of sweet potato and ground beef will certainly be an advantage, but the feeling remains he is perhaps too indie for such a mainstream role.

Mescal was 18/1 to slip into an Aston Martin and go save the world, but his odds have lengthened to 33/1.

Other names on the next James Bond market include Emily in Paris' Lucien Laviscount, Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page, Bodyguard's Richard Madden, Peaky Blinders' Finn Cole and Fantastic Beasts actor Eddie Redmayne, who are all 25/1.