Credit: MGM/EON ProductionsAmazon MGM Studio’s upcoming James Bond film reboot is now in early production. Director Denis Villeneuve, who’s currently working on the final chapter in his Dune trilogy, is at the helm, while Peaky Blinders (2013) writer Steven Knight is on script duties.
But who will follow in Daniel Craig’s footsteps by donning the tux and picking up the PPK?
A Female James Bond
While there are many male actors whose names are doing the rounds as potential candidates, including Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights), and Callum Turner (Eternity), talk of a female James Bond keeps cropping up.
A female version of the globe-trotting MI6 spy has been opposed by several key figures from the 007 franchise, including James Bond actor Daniel Craig himself, his No Time to Die (2021) co-star Ana de Armas, and longtime producer Barbara Broccoli. But others in the industry are keen to see a woman play the iconic character in a future film.
Technically speaking, it has already happened. Lashana Lynch’s Nomi temporarily took the 007 moniker in No Time to Die. There have been other notable female equivalents in other corners of the franchise, such as Johanna Harwood in Kim Sherwood’s ongoing Double O book series. Meanwhile, one wonders whether Bond’s daughter Mathilde Swann from No Time to Die could continue her father’s legacy in a future film or a tie-in comic or novel.
Related: Meet the New James Bond in the Upcoming ‘007’ Reboot
A Female Actor Has Entered the Chat
Recently, Euronews Culture reported that Hamnet (2025) actress Jesse Buckley had landed the role of 007 in Amazon MGM’s film reboot. Of course, as it was the first of the month, that turned out to be an April Fool’s Prank; however, the idea of a female James Bond persists.
While the likes of Craig and Broccoli have publicly opposed the idea, others in the industry are keen to see a woman play the iconic character in a future film. And one female star has already thrown her hat in the ring: Sydney Sweeney.
Sweeney is best known for her roles in shows like The Handmaid’s Tale (2017), Euphoria (2019), and The White Lotus (2021), and movies such as Madame Web (2024) and Immaculate (2024).
Related: ‘James Bond’ 26 Will “Embrace Queer Storytelling” With Non-Binary Actor: Rumor
The Name’s Sweeney, Sydney Sweeney
Sweeney has shot to stardom over the past year and is now a household name. But it seems the 28-year-old isn’t done conquering Hollywood. Last year, when asked by Variety if she’d play a Bond girl, she said, “Depends on the script. I think I’d have more fun as James Bond.”
Now, Hollywood director Paul Feig, best known for the 2016 Ghostbusters remake which featured an all-female cast, and director of Sweeney’s latest film, The Housemaid (2026), has thrust the American Eagle ad star back into the spotlight as a potential contender by revealing that he would like to see her pick up the Walther PPK in the next James Bond film.
“There have been some cool Bond girls, but come on, let her [Sydney Sweeney] be the super-spy, she’s great,” he recently told The Sun. “She’s one of the hardest-working people I know, so professional, so smart, so savvy. I think she’d be a good spy.”
A New James Bond Was Cast Last Year
Amazon MGM Studios has yet to name who will play the next 007 in film. However, a new actor has already been cast as the character in a video game: Patrick Gibson, best known for playing a young Dexter Morgan in the Paramount+ series Dexter: Original Sin (2024).
007 First Light (2026) also stars Priyanga Burford (M), Kiera Lester (Miss Moneypenny), Naomie Ackie (Miss Roth), Alastair Mackenzie (Q), Lennie James (John Greenway), Gemma Chan (Selina Tan), and Lenny Kravitz (Bawma).
The third-person action-adventure, developed by IO Interactive, releases on May 27, 2026.
There’s no release date for Amazon MGM’s untitled Bond reboot.
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