James Bond fans are eagerly waiting to learn who the next 007 will be. Now that it has officially been announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct Bond 26, Amazon is thankfully one step closer to casting an actor in the lead role. However, Amazon’s shortlist for the next James Bond is very surprising.

According to a report which was released not long after Villeneuve was announced as the director of the upcoming Bond 26, Amazon’s top three choices for the next 007 are Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson. Since all three of these actors are under 30, it seems like Amazon is committed to telling a story which follows James Bond at the beginning of his career as a spy.

Before this report, popular fan castings for the next James Bond were notable actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, and Henry Cavill. Therefore, a lot of people were surprised by Amazon’s top picks for the next 007. In fact, many fans are underwhelmed by these picks, since arguably only one of these actors would make a great James Bond.

Amazon’s Next James Bond Actor Shortlist Has Clear Issues

Does Amazon Want To Hire The Most Popular Young Actor To Be The Next James Bond?

Ever since it was announced that Amazon now has full creative control of the James Bond franchise, fans have been concerned that this could be the beginning of the end for the iconic movie series. The producers of previous James Bond movies, namely the members of the Broccoli family, were all very pᴀssionate about the franchise. Therefore, it’s understandable to worry that Amazon may not treat the franchise with as much care.

Thankfully, hiring Villeneuve to direct Bond 26 proves that Amazon wants the movie to be amazing. However, right after this directing choice was announced, Amazon’s top three choices for the next Bond instantly brought fans down from a high. Based on these choices, it seems like Amazon wants to hire someone who is very popular with younger audiences, rather than the best actor for the role.

Having Holland and Elordi on this list, in particular, makes it seem like Amazon is trying to make a trendy casting choice. Both of these actors are great in other roles and are definitely popular public figures, but that doesn’t mean either of them should play James Bond. Unlike Holland or Elordi, though, Dickinson could actually make for a very interesting James Bond.

Harris Dickinson Could Actually Be A Good James Bond

Dickinson Has Starred In Several Great Movies

Out of these three actors, Dickinson is definitely the least popular. However, out of this small list, this actually makes him the best choice for the next James Bond since fans won’t ᴀssociate him with another role. While Holland will always make people think of Spider-Man and fans will ᴀssociate Elordi with his roles in Euphoria and Saltburn, Dickinson hasn’t necessarily had a stand-out role yet.

This isn’t to say that Dickinson hasn’t starred in amazing movies. The 29-year-old actor has earned acclaim for his roles in films like Babygirl, The Iron Claw, and Triangle of Sadness, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

Based on his previous roles, it’s easy to see how Dickinson’s Bond could exude a lot of charm while also having a darker, more morally complex side. Villeneuve’s films usually follow complicated protagonists, and I think Dickinson could easily pull off a conflicted Bond. Therefore, even though Amazon’s shortlist is somewhat underwhelming, there is still hope for Bond 26.

The Next James Bond Actor May Be Someone Very Different

Your James Bond Pick Could Still Be Chosen By Amazon

Even if you’ve seen many of Dickinson’s previous movies and are still not convinced that he would make a good James Bond, there’s no reason to worry just yet. After all, it’s still very early in the process and there’s still a good chance that none of these actors will end up being the next 007.

Reportedly, Amazon wants to have a completed draft of the script for Bond 26 before casting the next 007. Therefore, there’s a chance that this shortlist will change once the story of the next movie in the spy franchise comes together. Perhaps the script for Bond 26 will call for a slightly older 007, after all, or another actor will emerge as a top contender in the coming months.

In addition to all the previously mentioned actors, names like Aaron Pierre, Paul Mescal, and Damson Idris, who is currently earning acclaim for his role in F1 The Movie, have also been tossed around to be the next James Bond. This proves that there are still a lot of options for Amazon to consider before a final decision is made.

James Bond’s Acting Is Crucial, But Bond 26 Is Already Very Exciting

Bond 26 Will Be The Start Of An Exciting New Era For The Franchise

Since Daniel Craig was arguably the best James Bond actor ever, there will undoubtedly be a lot of pressure on whoever is cast as the lead of Bond 26. Audiences will be expecting a lot from the next James Bond, so it’s crucial that Amazon picks the right actor.

Since fans are so pᴀssionate about the James Bond franchise, everyone has their own opinion about who should be the next 007. Because of this, Amazon’s eventual choice is bound to disappoint a lot of people. However, no matter who is cast as the British spy, there are still a lot of reasons to be excited about Bond 26.

Without a doubt, the main reason to be excited about the next movie in the spy franchise is Villeneuve. Throughout his career, Villeneuve has proven that he can make big-budget blockbusters that have a lot of heart and intriguing, complex characters. Therefore, no matter who is cast as the next James Bond, I’m confident that Villeneuve will bring the best out of them.