James Bond producer Amy Pascal has given fans an updated timeline regarding the biggest casting announcement in Hollywood: the next 007.
Ever since Amazon MGM took over creative control of the British spy franchise, fans have wanted to know who would succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Still, despite a fleshed-out creative team working hard on the next film, news of the next Bond will have to wait a little while longer.
Cast announcement expected at the end of 2026
Amazon has already teased fans that auditions for the next James Bond are well underway, and it’s rumoured that a final round could take place this August.
We also know that Amazon, Pascal, fellow producer David Heyman (of Harry Potter fame), renowned British casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve are after a younger 007.
An actor in his early 30s is expected to take up the role, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said to be penning a screenplay of Bond’s pre-00 years.
Big names like Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner have been mentioned, as have lesser-known figures such as Enola Holmes and House of Guiness (also created by Knight) actor Louis Partridge and Sunset Boulevard Olivier-winning actor Tom Francis.
Partridge, 23, and Francis, 26 – skew even younger on the young-Bond scale – although the likelihood of a new film coming out this side of 2029 is slim anyway.
007 First Light videogame star Patrick Gibson, 31, has already won over fans and could well be a strong contender to play the spy in the next film.
Alas, in an interview with Deadline, fresh off her success with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Pascal divulged how long it will be before we can stop speculating about Bond.
“I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” Pascal said.
“We are being really, really methodical.
“Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.”
That timeline fits nicely with director Villeneuve’s schedule, with his Dune: Part Three film to be released on 18 December.
No doubt the acclaimed director will be busy with that film up to and perhaps a bit beyond this point, with the very end of 2026 allowing him to start anew with a fresh-faced Bond actor.
Another actor to consider for James Bond
Another name who should be worth anyone involved in the casting process considering is Fabien Frankel.
The 32-year-old has recently been killed off in House of the Dragon, after a wickedly slimy portrayal as Ser Criston Cole.
His major roles have been limited to the small screen thus far, but his incredible work in Task and House of the Dragon has given him suitable shine to pick up a role like James Bond.
What’s more, he easily fits the bill as a suave, handsome, British spy.
Despite him being a Film News Blitz pick, and several other names constantly whirring around the rumour mill, it wouldn’t come as a shock for Pascal and company to throw a name out of left field when the James Bond casting announcement finally comes at the end of the year.
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