Bond 26 is reportedly eying three stars as candidates for the new 007 as the film’s theatrical window comes into view. Following Daniel Craig’s exit as James Bond in 2021, it’s been unclear who will replace him. Amazon has the reins for the franchise now, and it was just announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct Bond 26, meaning progress is being made on the new movie.

Per Variety, Tom Holland, 29, Jacob Elordi, 28, and Harris Dickinson, 29, are at the top of the list when it comes to actors to take on the mantle of 007 in Bond 26. Amazon is reportedly looking to cast a British actor under the age of 30 in the role, meaning former frontrunners could be off the table.

Though Elordi is Australian, the company is said to not be too fussed about this. The report also notes that no meetings with stars have happened at this stage. As for when the new movie will be released, Amazon is reportedly looking at a release at some point in 2028.

What This Means For Bond 26

Are Previous Frontrunners Out Of Luck?

Holland is, of course, best known for playing Spider-Man in the MCU, but some of his non-superhero projects have struggled. Playing Bond has the potential to solidify his movie stardom beyond playing the Marvel webslinger. Holland also has a starring role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (in addition to the upcoming Spider-Man 4), meaning the next few years could be particularly exciting for the actor.

In addition to being known for his role in Euphoria, Elordi is no stranger to movies. He recently appeared in Saltburn (2023) and Priscilla (2023), on top of appearing the three The Kissing Booth movies. Dickinson is known for тιтles like Babygirl (2024), and Triangle of Sadness (2022), but has experience in the action genre, having starred in The King’s Man (2021).

Though Amazon hasn’t confirmed or denied the report regarding these three stars, this latest news does suggest that longtime frontrunner Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, could be out of luck. If Variety is correct, Henry Cavill, 42, would also be too old for the role. A star under 30 could mean that Bond 26 serves as an origin story for the iconic spy.

Our Take On The New Bond 26 Report

How It Breaks A Franchise Trend

One common aspect of several previous Bond castings is that the actors didn’t seem like obvious choices for the role. Craig, for example, wasn’t really a major movie star before Casino Royale (2006), and his casting was met with a great deal of skepticism. He ended up being widely loved.

Holland and Elordi don’t really fit this mold, as they’re already major stars. Aside from their age, which is younger than was expected for the new Bond, there’s nothing that makes them particularly surprising or inventive choices. Dickinson isn’t at quite this same level of stardom, meaning his casting could be more in line with franchise tradition.

That being said, Amazon now being in control makes Bond 26 an opportunity to deviate from tradition. Either of the three stars could be a great choice. It remains to be seen who will be cast in the upcoming film, but gears are evidently turning behind the scenes.

Source: Variety