Credit: Inside the MagicThe next James Bond film is underway, this time coming from Amazon MGM Studios, which now has creative control of the iconic franchise. Director Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Dune: Part Two) will helm the project, and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) will write the script.
The film will be the 26th outing for the character in theaters (27th if you count the non-Eon film, Never Say Never Again, starring Sean Connery), and will mark the franchise’s return to theaters following Daniel Craig’s five-film series, which ended with No Time to Die (2021).
Who’s Playing the New James Bond?
However, while the creative team is firmly in place, the project has yet to find — or at least disclose — the next actor who will play James Bond, AKA 007.
Fans continue to throw around big names like Tom Holland and Henry Cavill, however, last year, Deadline reported that the team is looking for an unknown British actor in their late 20s or early 30s.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning, as Callum Turner (Eternity) and Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights) remain favorites at the bookies, according to reports.
A Rising Star May Land Another Iconic 007 Role
With that said, the film may have at least gotten one step closer to finding the next musician to sing its signature theme song.
Several artists have shouldered that huge responsibility over the years, including the likes of Chris Cornell and Sam Smith, who performed “You Know My Name” for Casino Royale (2006) and “Writing’s on the Wall” for Spectre (2015), respectively.
Now, per NME, pop singer Olivia Dean has emerged as the favorite to sing the next Bond theme, according to a statement from bookmakers William Hill.
Related: ‘James Bond’ 26 Will “Embrace Queer Storytelling” With Non-Binary Actor: Rumor
Who Is Olivia Dean?
Dean, who had a breakthrough last year with her second album “The Art of Loving”, enjoyed some huge wins at this year’s BRIT Awards (February 28), picking up Album of the Year, Song of the Year for her Sam Fender collaboration “Rein Me In”, Artist of the Year, and Best Pop Act at. Being given the James Bond theme seems like a natural next step for Dean.
“Her success has seen the betting company slash the odds of her singing the next 007 theme song, following in the footsteps of recent Bond singers Adele, Sam Smith, and Billie Eilish,” the outlet writes. It adds that Dean was (at the time of publishing on March 3) second behind Raye at 7/2, with Lana Del Rey (4/1), Dua Lipa (7/1), and Harry Styles (10/1). Those outside the top five include Oasis at 12/1, as well as Chappell Roan and Charli XCX at 16/1 each.
Another James Bond Has Already Been Cast
Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey is also rumored to be singing the theme song for the upcoming third-person action-adventure video game 007 First Light.
Last year, the singer registered a song titled “First Light” with ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, which fueled speculation about her involvement.
But 007 First Light has already found its new Bond in Irish actor Patrick Gibson, who’s best known for the Paramount+ series, Dexter: Original Sin. The game, which releases across several major platforms on May 27, 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).
There’s no release date for the untitled film reboot.
Who do you think should perform the next Bond theme? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!