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Credit: Inside the MagicA new James Bond movie is officially in the works at Amazon MGM. Separate from the recent Daniel Craig-era films, it will feature a new actor in the role of the iconic MI6 agent.
But while it was reported last year that the studio and the creative team (Dune‘s Denis Villeneuve is on board as director, with Peaky Blinder‘s Steven Knight penning the script), the film may have already found its lead.
Related: Meet the New James Bond in the Upcoming ‘007’ Reboot
The Most Popular Contenders for James Bond
When it comes to casting Bond, names are frequently thrown around. Some tend to stick for years, like Idris Elba (Hobbs & Shaw) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later).
However, last year, Deadline reported that the team is looking for an “unknown” British actor in their late 20s and early 30s, which ruled out not only Elba and Taylor-Johnson, but several other names in the process, including Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home).
But one name that entered the arena more recently refuses to go away.
Recently, according to Coral bookmakers (via London Evening Standard), Callum Turner, best known for playing Newt Scamander’s brother, Theseus, in the Fantastic Beasts films The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) and The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), was a “red hot favorite” to don the tux and pick up the PPK in Amazon MGM’s untitled James Bond reboot.
Related: Amazon Drastically Changes James Bond’s Identity After 63 Years Ahead of Movie Reboot
A Fantastic Beasts Star Is the New Favorite
“We’ve been knocked over with support for Callum Turner in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours,” Coral’s John Hill said in December.
“The British actor is now the red-hot favorite for the role.”
Though hardly “unknown”, the Harry Potter actor fits more into the “relatively unknown” category, meaning he could be a serious candidate. At 35, his age also mostly lines up (he’s at the farthest end of the reported bracket). That said, Deadline also reported that the search for the next 007 wouldn’t begin until Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three wraps later this year.
Turner Has Reportedly Said He’s Got the Role of 007
However, it has now been reported that Turner very much remains a hot contender. Not only that, but he’s reportedly been telling his friends that he’s already landed the role.
A source close to The Daily Mail said: “He’s been blabbing all over town. Callum [Turner] is the new Bond, it’s been confirmed. Everyone in his circle is talking about it. It’s the worst-kept secret going.” Another source said: “If it is Callum then he’d be a popular pick. He has the looks and sophistication for Bond and he has proved his acting chops.”
The report adds that Turner’s fiancée, popstar Dua Lipa, is delighted by his new role, and would be interested in performing the track for the untitled James Bond film.
“Dua is over the moon for Callum. She’s been saying she’d love to record the Bond theme.”
Another James Bond Reboot Is Coming Soon
Meanwhile, the upcoming third-person action-adventure video game “007 First Light” from developers Saber Interactive has already cast its James Bond with Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin) as a young version of the spy on a mission to acquire his Double-O status.
“007 First Light” is a third-person, story-driven action-adventure in which players follow Bond through his earliest missions and key moments that define his path into 00 status.
The game has now been delayed from its initial March 27, 2026 launch to May 27, 2026.
There’s no release date for James Bond 26.
Who do you think should play James Bond? Share your fan-casting below!