Next Bond Villain Odds: Jared Leto And Zendaya Lead Way After Director Decision

Amazon MGM Studios has enlisted Denis Villeneuve as the director of the next James Bond film, and the exciting move has sparked speculation on betting sites about 007's next enemy. 

Several stars who have worked with the Dune and Sicario film-maker have moved into contention following his appointment. 

It comes after Amazon chose Harry Potter producer David Heyman, who worked on all eight of the wizarding world movies, and Amy Pascal, who was behind the three latest Spider-Man films, as Bond producers. 

Zendaya's Double Chance 

One leading lady who has a huge connection to both Villeneuve and Pascal is Zendaya. 

The actress is 13/8 favourite on betting apps to be the next female Bond villain, when the follow-up to 2021's No Time To Die is finally announced. 

Zendaya has been directed by Villeneuve in space movie megahits Dune and Dune: Part Two, so he is certainly no stranger to her acting abilities, and neither is producer Pascal. 

Next Female James Bond Villain Odds

She worked with Zendaya in tennis movie Challengers, as well as 2017 movie Spider-Man: Homecoming, and subsequent sequels Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

Zendaya portrayed Michelle/MJ in all three of the Pascal-produced motion pictures, and it would be more of a surprise if Zendaya's name wasn't put forward to appear in the next Bond movie.

Florence Pugh, who Zendaya appeared opposite in Dune: Part Two, looks set to battle it out with the star for a role in the next 007 movie, either as a Bond villain (5/2) or as the female lead.    

Special Agent Blunt 

But both Zendaya and Pugh could face huge competition from Emily Blunt (2/1).

The star is no stranger to portraying a special agent, after doing so in Villeneuve's 2015 crime thriller movie Sicario. 

Another crime thriller star who would make a fantastic Bond villain is Dame Helen Mirren. 

The British acting icon is terrifying as MobLand's Maeve Harrigan, and she is just 3/1 to inflict fear on 007 in his next outing. 

But the suave spy won't be played by Daniel Craig next time out, after he departed the role in No Time To Die.

However, his wife, Rachel Weisz, is just 4/1 to land a Bond villain role. 

Elsewhere, Saoirse Ronan is propping up the female Bond villain market at 8/1, but she is keen to appear in a 007 movie. 

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast about her potential character, she said: "Her and Bond don't get together or anything, she's a villain. Like Javier Bardem vibes. 

"I'm conscious of being blonde, because I feel like a lot of villains in movies, they’re always like, make them super blonde and evil looking." 

Leto Could Land Plum Role

Another star who can turn his hand to an evil portrayal is Suicide Squad star Jared Leto. 

He was directed by Villeneuve in 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049, and is 5/4 favourite to be the next male Bond villain.

Some of Villeneuve's Dune actors are also in contention to land a part in the next Bond movie. 

Stellan Skarsgard, who appears in both Dune films, is 13/8 third favourite, and the sci-fi flick's leading man Timothee Chalamet is a 3/1 chance. 

Next Male James Bond Villain Odds

However, Josh Brolin (4/1) could provide some stiff competition. 

The actor looks set to be a triple threat after he was directed by Villeneuve three times - both Dune movies and 2015's Sicario. 

Colin Farrell (6/4) and Jude Law (2/1) are also in with a chance following their Fantastic Beasts roles. 

Irish star Farrell appeared as Percival Graves/Gellert Grindelwald in 2016's Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Brit Jude played a young Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. 

Both movies were produced by Heyman, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he put in a good word for either star. 

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