The race to find the next James Bond is heating up, with several actors in contention to take over the iconic role from Daniel Craig, who has played the character since 2006. As the franchise transitions under Amazon's ownership, speculation is rife about who will don the tuxedo next, and the discussions are as varied as the actors being considered.
According to an article from The New York Post on April 17, 2025, the primary criterion for the new James Bond is that the actor must be British. Among the frontrunners is Henry Cavill, known for his role in Man of Steel. Cavill was actually a "loose second reserve choice" when Craig was cast back in 2005, as noted by Bond commentator Mark O'Connell. He explained that often the runner-up is favored in subsequent casting rounds. "What often happens in Bond is that the runner-up is kind of favored next time round. Roger Moore was looked at for Dr. No in the first Bond film, and Timothy Dalton was looked at in the early ’70s," O'Connell told The Post.
In a 2024 interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Cavill, who is now 41, expressed uncertainty about his chances of landing the role. "I have no idea, all I’ve got to go off is the rumors. The same information you have. Maybe I’m too old now, maybe I’m not, we’ll see," he said.
However, not everyone is on board with the idea of Cavill as Bond. Graham Rye, editor of 007 Magazine, voiced his preference for Scottish actor Stuart Martin, stating, "Lots of fans want Henry Cavill, which only just proves to me that they don’t know what they’re talking about." Rye's comments highlight the mixed opinions surrounding Cavill's suitability for the role.
Beyond Cavill and Martin, a total of 12 actors have been named as potential candidates for the iconic role now that the franchise is under Amazon's control. Among these actors are Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been dubbed the "presumptive frontrunner" by People magazine. Other notable names include Rege-Jean Page, Joe Alwyn, Paul Mescal, Dev Patel, and Idris Elba.
As the search for a new Bond continues, the franchise is also contemplating a shift in filming locations. Liverpool is being considered as an alternative to London, a move that has raised eyebrows among Bond purists. A source indicated that while filming may move, it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool. Instead, the outline of the Liver Building could replace the rooftops of Whitehall in the film's backdrop.
Despite the changes, the franchise is still grappling with the fallout from the departure of longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli earlier this year, alongside Amazon's acquisition of MGM Studios. Actor Daniel Mays recently claimed that the reboot would feature a "very young" new star, focusing on Bond's early years. Speaking on the We’re Not Getting Any Younger podcast, he remarked, "Bond is a big deal right now, that going to Amazon… I heard a rumor they’re going to cast someone very young and go sort of back to the origins. They’re going to sort of ’60s, you’re going to have all the retro cars and that sort of stuff — and start again. I think that would be kind of cool."
The competition for the role is fierce, with actors like Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Josh O’Connor, and Lucien Laviscount all vying for the coveted position. The question of who will sing the next Bond theme song is also up in the air. There is speculation about the return of Adele, who last performed for the franchise in 2012's Skyfall. Meanwhile, BRITs sensation Raye and Geordie rocker Sam Fender are leading the bookmakers' lists for the next theme song. Raye currently leads the pack at 8/11, following her historic six-award sweep at this year's BRITs, while Sam Fender is close behind at 9/4, thanks to his third consecutive number one album, People Watching.
As the franchise enters a new era, fans are left wondering what changes will come with the new Bond and how the character will evolve under Amazon's stewardship. Will the next actor be able to capture the essence of what makes Bond a timeless figure, or will the shifts in production lead to a new interpretation that strays from tradition? Only time will tell as the casting process unfolds and the franchise prepares for its next chapter.
