Three British actors become new favourites to play James Bond after one A-list star was branded 'too adorable' for the role
Supporters have been eagerly waiting to find out who will be the next star with a 'license to kill' after Daniel Craig relinquished the part with the 2021 film No Time To Die.
Following months of speculation, three clear favourites for the coveted role at last emerged on Tuesday from Coral Bookmakers.
It is believed Kick Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden, also 35, and Netflix star Theo James, 40, being among the top contenders.
Bookmaker Coral have reported seeing a strong wave of support behind Aaron with the British actor as the 9-4 favourite for the role.
Meanwhile Theo is second best in the betting at 4-1, while Jack is backed at 5-1.
Elsewhere the betting site have Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, with odds of 10-1.
Coral's John Hill said: 'We've seen another strong wave of support behind Aaron Taylor-Johnson in our next James Bond betting. Although other names have been linked with the role in recent weeks.
'The British actor remains the man punters are backing to replace Daniel Craig'.
However, it is believe to not be possible for Spiderman star Tom to bag the role of 007 as he begins filming Spider Man 4 - which has the reported working name Spider-Man: Brand New Day - in the coming months.
The studio announced on Wednesday that Denis Villeneuve - best known for directing Warner Bros.' two-part Dune adaptation - has signed on to direct the untitled film Bond film, via Amazon press release.
The French-Canadian filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.
Amazon had previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film's producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
The news comes just over three years after Amazon completed its massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise.
There hasn't been a Bond film since 2021's No Time to Die, the final instalment with Daniel Craig as the beloved secret agent.
The director said in a statement, 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.'
He added, 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.'
The filmmaker admitted: 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.'
He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, 'are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust'.
Amy and David added, 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.
'It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.'
After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.
Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.
Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.
Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.
He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.
The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013's Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.
He continued to win acclaim for 2013's Enemy, 2015's Sicario, 2016's Arrival, 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021's Dune: Part One and 2024's Dune: Part Two.
Speculation has continued to grow over who will be the next big-screen Bond and the Bond franchise also prompted a flurry of guesses as to where they might take the franchise next.
Bond has been spoiled with video game adaptations since the 1980s, with early adaptations taking the form of shooting games or text adventures in which players typed in what they wanted the super-spy to do.
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
The studio announced that Denis Villeneuve - best known for directing Warner Bros.' two-part Dune adaptation - has signed on to direct the untitled film, via Amazon press release
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.'
The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
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