Odds on the Next James Bond – Who Will It Be?
Bond…James Bond. The name alone conjures up images of martinis, Aston Martins, and world-saving heroics in a custom-made Tom Ford suit (at least for the latest Bond).
And because Daniel Craig signed off from the role after No Time To Die, the 007 franchise is gearing up for a new era, which means a successor must be named in his place. The interest in who will be given the keys to the Bond kingdom isn’t only for movie lovers; bookmakers have made the casting into a slew of odds and bets. To make things even more interesting, Amazon’s MGM Studios has now taken over the Bond franchise, hoping to inject new life (and budget) into MI6. The result? Sorry, but I have to say it: You have a “license to bet.”
Who will be the next 007? The spot at the end of the bar is open, and fans are speculating about which suave secret agent-to-be will step into Craig’s Crockett & Jones oxfords.
Craig was the perfect specimen to play Bond— the blue-eyed Brit had a 15-year run as Bond with a dramatic exit. His portrayal won over critics and fans, so it’s a literally tough act to follow. A rogue’s gallery of potential Bonds has emerged, and all of them have that something something—there are chiseled action stars to smoldering period drama heartthrobs—and the odds are constantly shifting on who will don the famous tuxedo next. Grab your Walther PPK, because we’re spying on the top contenders, the dark horses, and all of the latest intel from Q-branch on the next James Bond.
Top Contenders and Their Odds
The odds of online betting apps give a fun look into the current state of the Bond race. Keep in mind, the Bond producers are as secretive as a Spectre operative—they want to keep us guessing. Still, that hasn’t stopped fans (and gamblers) from placing bets on their fav candidates. Below, we unpack the names vying for 007’s designation, with their latest odds and what makes them compelling (or questionable) choices. From Superman himself to a Bridgerton duke, here are the main players in this spy game:
Henry Cavill (+400)
Henry Cavill has long been fancast as 007–he certainly has the tuxedo-ready look. Could the former Man of Steel trade his cape for a license to kill?
If you were cooking up a James Bond in a lab, you might end up with Henry Cavill. Tall, dark, and classically handsome? Check. Physique of a superhero (literally)? Check. Charming Brit with a mischievous smirk? Check. It’s no wonder Cavill has consistently been a top fan choice for succeeding Craig. And this isn’t his first tango with 007–way back in 2005, 22-year-old Cavill was one of the final two contenders to play Bond, until the producers decided he was a tad too young and went with Craig instead.
He’s 20 years older and has a ton of star power, but Cavill seems destined to circle back to the role. Directors like Matthew Vaughn have openly said Cavill was “born to play Bond,” and you can see why. From The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (where he basically auditioned for Bond as a debonair spy) to Mission: Impossible stunts, he’s got the résumé.
But there are a few wrinkles in Cavill’s perfectly tailored suit. For one, he’s carried the Superman mantle and led The Witcher, both huge franchises that might make the Bond powers-that-be wary. Can one man be Geralt, Clark Kent, and James Bond all at once without audiences seeing crossover kryptonite? Cavill’s recent exit from those roles does open up his schedule, but at 40, he’s edging past the “thirty-something” sweet spot that producer Michael G. Wilson hinted at for the next Bond. He was once “too young” and now some say “too old.” Can the poor chap catch a break? With odds around +400, making him a top contender, the Man of Steel could still become the man with the golden gun.
Theo James (+250)
Who’d have thought a vacation in The White Lotus could serve as a Bond audition? Theo James stole scenes in that hit series by strutting around an Italian resort with nothing but loose linens. That cool charisma, layered over the smarmy playboy character he played, got people wondering: “Could this guy be the next 007?” And with his recent work in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen series on Netflix, he fits the bill; he’s involved in some criminal underworld shenanigans, and that only adds to his 00-appeal. James has rocketed to the top of bookies’ lists, currently the odds-on favorite at about +250. He’s got the dark, debonair look and a British accent. At 38, he’s in that prime age range to reboot Bond for a decade-long run.
But before we hand him the keys to the Aston Martin, Theo himself has been pumping the brakes. In interviews, he’s been humble and suggested that Bond needs a total “reinvention” and that “wouldn’t be me,” when asked about the rumors. Is this subterfuge, or does he genuinely not want to be Bond? The jury’s out. Regardless, punters are unconvinced by his self-deprecation, as the betting markets still have him shaken, not stirred at the top. He can handle a gun and a perfectly-fitted suit, no problem. If EON Productions is looking for a combo of proven talent and a smoke show to gaze upon, Theo James could be the dark horse turned front-runner in this race.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (+700)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been the name on everyone’s lips (and bets) for a while now. He came out of nowhere in late 2022 as a serious Bond candidate after reports of a “secret audition” surfaced—the kind of clandestine, after-hours screen test that sounds like a plot from, well, a Bond movie. The rumors didn’t stop there. In early 2024, a British tabloid (with perhaps a license to spill, sorry, but I’m gonna keep doing puns) claimed that Aaron had been offered the role outright. If this is true, that would pretty much seal the deal, but alas, no official word followed, and so the speculation continues.
At 35 years old, Taylor-Johnson hits the Goldilocks zone for the Bond age preference. And his CV checks out: he’s done the big action flicks (Kick-Ass, Godzilla, Avengers: Age of Ultron), showed off serious acting chops (Golden Globe win for Nocturnal Animals), and even dabbled in espionage with Tenet. Physically, he’s in top form, as he spent the past year bulking up to play Kraven the Hunter, a Marvel antihero. If you need a Bond who can run shirtless on a beach and chase down baddies, Aaron’s your guy. And former Bond Pierce Brosnan himself gave the nod, saying Taylor-Johnson would be “very good” as 007 if he got it. High praise indeed from an old hand!
So why isn’t he a slam dunk? Well, the very fact that he seemed like a slam dunk may be working against him now. When the hype ballooned (and his odds shrank to co-favorite), and then nothing concrete happened, some bettors cooled on him – his odds have drifted back out to around +700. It could be that EON is annoyed such rumors got out and is doubling down on secrecy. Or maybe it’s just the natural cycle of gossip. One thing’s for sure: Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a top-tier candidate, and if an announcement came tomorrow that he’s our new Bond, a lot of people would say, “Called it!” For now, he’s playing coy, and so are the odds.
James Norton +800
For UK television fans, James Norton has been a staple leading man for years, and a frequently spoken name in the Bond conversation. Lately, the chatter around him has gotten louder. Norton saw a surge of bets at the start of 2025, forcing some bookies to slash his odds from 6/1 down to 3/1 in a flurry of “Norton-mania.” What kicked it off? Perhaps his acclaimed turn as a dangerous criminal in Happy Valley’s final season reminded everyone that Norton can do menace and charm in equal measure. Or maybe a bunch of people just have a gut feeling it’s his time. Either way, he’s firmly in the mix, generally hovering around +800 odds now in a very competitive field.
Norton, 37, has a lot going for him as a potential 007. He’s got that polished gentleman vibe (see: his roles in Grantchester and War & Peace, where the period costumes were as bespoke as Bond’s tux) but also an undercurrent of intensity. If the franchise wants to lean back into a more classic, suave Bond, Norton fits the bill perfectly; he could probably slip into a casino in Monte Carlo and look like he’s been there all his life. He’s not as globally famous as Cavill or Taylor-Johnson, which could actually be a plus (Bond usually works best when the actor isn’t already a superhero). We could definitely imagine Norton’s Bond as a return to the smooth-talking charmer, closer to Brosnan’s style, but with the grit and modern sensibility that Craig brought to the role.
Any downsides? Well, Norton’s high-profile parts have mostly been in TV and prestige dramas rather than blockbuster action vehicles, so he’s less tested in the adrenaline department. And some cynical bettors wonder if that early 2025 betting rush was a red herring, as big spikes can sometimes be just that, spikes, not lasting trends. Still, as of now, Norton is very much in the race. He’s the kind of candidate that, if announced, people would say, “Oh, that makes sense.” And sometimes, “making sense” is exactly what EON might be looking for.
Rege-Jean Page (+1400)
Regé-Jean Page knows a thing or two about causing a social meltdown with a well-fitted suit and a smoldering stare (hi, Bridgerton fans). Ever since he broke hearts as the Duke of Hastings, fans have fancasted Page in all sorts of iconic roles—chief among them, James Bond. A year or two ago, his name was everywhere in the Bond betting scene. He was an early favorite with bookies after Craig’s exit, fueled by the perfect combo of his suave demeanor, youthful energy, and the prospect of a more diverse 007. That initial heat has cooled off, and his odds have lengthened to the mid-teens (hovering around +1400 or +1600 now), but he’s by no means out of the running.
What makes Page appealing as Bond? For one, he’s on the younger side of this list at 32, which means he could carry the franchise for multiple films and really reinvent the character for a new generation. He’s also largely a blank slate in terms of action roles; beyond a supporting part in The Gray Man and a heroic paladin in Dungeons & Dragons, he hasn’t been overexposed in the genre. That could be what the Bond overlords want: a fresh face who brings along a massive fan following from his Bridgerton days. You can easily picture his Bond being impeccably charming, with a deadly edge lurking just under the polished exterior. And let’s be frank, the man can wear the heck out of a tuxedo, and that’s half the job right there.
The challenges? Well, Page has publicly played it cool regarding the rumors (as any smart actor in the Bond race does). And with the betting momentum swinging toward others in recent months, he’s no longer the buzz du jour. Some skeptics wonder if his post-Bridgerton projects don’t quite say, “Bond audition” enough, as he’s been choosing varied roles, which is great for his range but doesn’t lock him in as an action star yet. But all it takes is one meeting with Barbara Broccoli and the team to change things. If the franchise guardians decide they want to skew younger and capitalize on a global heartthrob, don’t count Page out. The next Bond could still be the Duke!
Josh O’Connor (+1000)
If you’re looking for a curveball in the Bond betting lineup, Josh O’Connor is it. He’s not the obvious choice—O’Connor isn’t a household name action star. He’s best known for award-winning dramatic performances, like his turn as a young Prince Charles in The Crown (where he perfected the art of aristocratic brooding). But perhaps a less obvious choice is exactly what the Bond franchise might go for in a shake-up. Earlier this year one major bookmaker had O’Connor as the outright favorite, even at evens (+100 odds!) at one point. That startling vote of confidence sent many a Bond watcher reconsidering O’Connor’s chances.
Why would O’Connor make sense? Well, he’s 35, right in the target age range. He has a tall-ish, lanky elegance about him that could lend 007 a dash of refined sophistication. Acting-wise, there’s no question he’s top-tier—he has a BAFTA and an Emmy to his name. And he blew up after starring in Challengers with Zendaya. He hasn’t done the bang-bang shooty action roles, but neither had some previous Bonds when they were cast (*couch cough* Sir Roger Moore’s most violent act before Bond was charming folks on The Saint). O’Connor could herald a return to a more classic, espionage-heavy Bond, one with less brute force, and more cunning spycraft, which would work if the next films focus on 007’s brains as much as brawn.
Paul Mescal +1600
Paul Mescal’s name in the Bond conversation is surprising. First, he’s an Irish actor known for emotionally intense roles. But his rise has been meteoric. Mescal went from the swoon-worthy Connell in Normal People (complete with that now-iconic silver necklace) to an Academy Award nominee for Aftersun within just a couple of years. He was in the Gladiator sequel, proving he can headline a major action drama. All by the age of 29. 007’s tux doesn’t seem out of the question for this lad. Bookmakers agree he’s in the running, with odds in the mid-teens (around +1600).
Mescal would represent a true next-generation Bond. He’s the youngest of this bunch, which means if he were cast, we could be looking at a very long-term Bond, potentially 15+ years of Paul as 007. What he brings is a blend of raw talent and physicality. Watch any of his performances, and you’ll see that intensity in his eyes; you get the sense that he could pull off the serious Bond that Craig embodied. Yet he’s also unassuming enough to disappear into the role and make it his own, not carrying the baggage of having been a “franchise guy” before. Plus, as an Irishman, he’d follow in the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan, and we know all how well that turned out.
But Mescal is sensitive, and I don’t think he’d want to play Bond. The man likes his indie projects and roles with lots of emotional depth. Mescal has carved out an impressive path in boutique, award-friendly projects. Dedicating himself to Bond doesn’t look like it would align with the artistic trajectory he’s on (though the paycheck and prestige of 007 can be awfully convincing). Mescal’s inclusion in the Bond betting odds is a sign of the evolving nature of this race. It’s not just the established action heroes on the table; even the new class of Hollywood leading men are being considered. If the producers decide to play the long game (literally, thinking 10-15 years ahead), don’t be too shocked if Mescal’s name gets more traction.
Jack Lowden +800
Who? Exactly. Jack Lowden is a name that even the most die-hard movie lovers (me) don’t know. You’ve probably seen the Scottish actor in critically acclaimed films and series. He flew a Spitfire in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, sparred with Saoirse Ronan in Mary Queen of Scots, and currently sneaks around as a British intelligence agent in the TV series Slow Horses. The latter, in particular, feels like a Bond training program; Lowden plays a young MI5 officer dealing with espionage and conspiracies (albeit with far less gadgetry and far more Gary Oldman grumpiness than Bond deals with). I do not know this man, but he has the credentials, and his odds are pretty short, around +800 in the Bond betting markets.
Lowden, 34, has a lot in his favor after I looked him up. He’s got the classic British gent aura, which means he’s fair-haired, well-spoken, and an Oxford-polished vibe that could take Bond back to his more refined roots. He’s not too famous (so he could make Bond truly his identity), but not too obscure either (audiences would recognize him enough to be interested). Also, fun fact: he’s engaged to actress Saoirse Ronan! Think of the power-couple potential of the press tour if Bond had Lady Bird on his arm at the premieres!
The biggest knock on Lowden is the lack of chatter in the broader public. He’s a steady choice, but hasn’t had that breakout role that makes the world go “yes, that man is a star.” The same was true of Craig back in 2005 for international audiences. If they’re aiming for a solid, no-nonsense pick who will deliver the goods, Lowden is as safe a bet as any. He might not be lighting up fan debates with the same frenzy as some others, but sometimes the quiet horse wins the race, or in this case, the quiet Scotsman becomes Bond.
Callum Turner (+1200)
Another Brit in his early 30s, another name to keep an eye on. Callum Turner doesn’t have the instant recognizability of a Cavill or a Mescal, but he’s been steadily making his mark. You might’ve seen him in Fantastic Beasts (as Theseus Scamander) or leading the paranoid thriller series The Capture, where he delves into government conspiracies and high-tech cover-ups, quite Bond-ian, if you ask us. Turner’s odds are floating in that second-tier contender range (around +1200), which means the bookies consider him a realistic possibility, even if he’s not front and center in the rumor mill.
Physically, Turner fits the classic 007 template: tall, dark, and handsome with a certain London bloke charm. Importantly, he’s 33, meaning he hits the “thirty-something” target age for the next Bond. His performances showcase a combo of vulnerability and intensity, and this duality could be interesting for Bond, who in the Craig era was portrayed with more emotional depth than ever before. Could Turner carry that forward? Possibly! He hasn’t had a chance to prove his action chops to the extent some others on this list have, but he’s certainly proved his acting talent in dramas and thrillers.
If you’re the betting type, he’s an appealing pick: not a favorite, but not a long shot, and with a plausible case to be made.
Richard Madden +1200
Richard Madden. For a moment back in 2018, it looked like the Scottish actor was destined to be the next Bond. He had just wowed everyone in the TV thriller Bodyguard, playing a PTSD-stricken protection officer, giving us a glimpse of what a more serious, modern Bond could be like. The performance earned him a Golden Globe and launched him into the 007 conversation at full tilt. Fast forward to today, and Madden is still very much a contender, though the chatter around him has settled down. Bookmakers currently put him around +1200 in the odds, reflecting that he’s on the shortlist but not at the tippity-top.
Why Madden? He’s got pedigree, both in terms of acting and, let’s face it, his face. If you’ve seen him in a tux (just Google his red carpet looks, and thank me later), you know he cuts a truly Bond-esque figure. At 38, he’s right on that cusp of “do we go a tad older and experienced, or younger and fresh?” He’s proven he can handle action and suspense (aside from Bodyguard, he was an action hero in Marvel’s Eternals and is currently playing a super-spy in Amazon’s series Citadel)
One could argue that Madden might be too on-the-nose. He’s done the spy thing, the secret agent thing, so would casting him as Bond be anticlimactic? The other consideration is that the Bond brain trust might be aiming younger to get more mileage. Madden is by no means old (he’s youthful-looking to boot), but if they’re envisioning a 10-year plan, they may go with someone in their early 30s instead. Nonetheless, Madden is a fan favorite. He oozes brooding and charm. And given his experience with high-profile roles, you know he’d handle the pressure of being Bond. If the announcement came tomorrow, the reaction would likely be, “Yep, that checks out.” Sometimes the best choice is the one that’s been right there in front of us, and Richard Madden has been right there, auditioning in my mind for years.
3 Long Shots and Fan Favorites
Not every name floating in the Bond-verse is a fresh-faced rising star. Some are long-running fan favorites or big Hollywood names that, while beloved, face some obstacles (be it age, interest, or just producer preferences). Let’s give a nod to a few of these figures who regularly pop up in 007 speculation, even if their odds aren’t great:
- Idris Elba (+5000): The people’s champion of Bond fan-casting for over a decade, Idris Elba has everything you’d want in 007… except a desire actually to do it. The suave Brit (and oh yes, he can wear a tux) has repeatedly played down the rumors. In fact, he flat-out confirmed in 2021 that “No, I’m not going to be James Bond,” after years of fans pleading. Bond producer Barbara Broccoli herself even hinted in 2022 that they had considered Elba but noted that taking on Bond is a “10-12 year commitment” and understood if Idris didn’t want that. At 52 now, Elba falls outside the target age range the producers seem to be looking for, and he’s busy dominating other realms of pop culture (from Luther to DJing). Bookmakers still list him out of respect (and perhaps wishful thinking), but usually at long odds. We love you, Idris, but this particular ship has probably sailed, and he seems relieved about it!
- Tom Hardy (+3300): Hardy’s name inevitably comes up because he’s Tom Freakin Hardy. He has a rough-and-tumble edge that some think would make for an intriguing, grittier Bond. And let’s face it, Hardy could sip a martini or break a henchman’s neck with equal believability. A rumor in 2020 claimed Hardy had secretly been cast as Bond, which turned out to be bunk, but it sent the internet into a tizzy. Here’s the rub: Hardy is pushing 50 and known for playing characters that are, how shall we say, a bit on the eccentric side (hello, Venom and Bane). The Bond honchos likely want a slightly younger, cleaner slate. Hardy’s odds in the betting markets reflect that; not great, but he lingers in the conversation. If this were 10 years ago, he’d probably have been a front-runner. Today, it feels like fan fantasy more than a reality. Still, we’ll never complain about an excuse to imagine Hardy growling “Bond, James Bond” in his Bane voice just for giggles.
- Lucien Laviscount (+2000): Now here’s an interesting one. Lucien Laviscount, best known as the charming Alfie in Netflix’s Emily in Paris, is a newer entrant to the Bond rumor mill. He’s 31, British, and undeniably dashing, which is the kind of profile that fits the mold on paper. Reports hit the tabloids in early 2023 that the Bond producers had him on their radar (supposedly, he “ticks all the boxes” for a younger 007). What’s more, Laviscount seems to like the idea. In an interview while promoting a project last year, he openly said, “To play James Bond would be the ‘ultimate’ role for him. Gotta appreciate that enthusiasm! So what’s the catch? Well, Laviscount’s acting CV, while solid, isn’t as hefty as most others on the list—he’s still emerging, and taking on Bond would be a massive leap. There’s also a rumor that his reality TV past (he was on Celebrity Big Brother long ago) would not gel with EON’s ideal pedigree for a Bond actor. Those factors make him a long shot in the betting odds. But he’s a fan favorite in the making, especially among a younger demographic that could rally behind a fresh-faced Bond. If the producers are thinking truly outside the box, who knows? Laviscount could be an interesting dark horse. But for now, chalk him up as a charismatic long shot who’s just happy to be here (and honestly, we’re happy to include him—the man does have style).
Behind the Scenes: Production Updates
While we are all speculating about actors, there’s lots happening behind the camera as well, arguably more than ever due to some major shake-ups. The biggest plot twist in Bondland has been Amazon’s entry into the picture. In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM (Bond’s longtime studio partner), and with that came a share of 007’s future. We got confirmation that Amazon’s MGM Studios is taking the creative helm for Bond 26, and they’re bringing in some heavyweight producers to spearhead the project.
In March 2025, Amazon officially announced that Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the next James Bond film. This is a huge deal—Pascal (the force behind Sony’s Spider-Man films and former Sony Pictures chief) and Heyman (who produced Harry Potter, Gravity, Barbie, you name it) are Hollywood powerhouses. Them joining Bond marks the first time outsiders beyond the Broccoli family have had a hand in producing a 007 adventure on film. It’s a signal that Amazon wants to inject new life (and a fresh perspective) into Bond’s next era.
According to reports, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the half-siblings who have run Bond for decades, gave their blessing (Wilson is said to be retiring, and Barbara is still involved but wants to pass the torch). Amazon’s film chief, Courtenay Valenti, said they approach this with the “greatest sense of responsibility” and plan to uphold Bond’s legacy while taking it forward. In other words: don’t panic! Bond won’t suddenly start drinking White Claws or something on their watch.
What does all this mean for the next film’s timeline and status? Things might start moving, but not immediately. As of now, there’s no script or cast announced yet, and no firm release date. The “search” for the next James Bond is very much still on (hence why we are writing about it!). With Pascal and Heyman on board, one of their first orders of business will be to zero in on a direction for Bond 26. Will it be a reboot, a continuation, or a new tone?
They’ll be working closely with Barbara Broccoli on those decisions. Broccoli, for her part, has in past interviews (when asked about Bond casting rumors) emphasized that they were focused on “reinventing” Bond’s character and that casting would only happen once they set a course for who this new Bond is going to be in terms of tone and story. Now that Amazon is creatively in the driver’s seat, we can see some movement on that front.
Longtime fans can rest assured that even with new producers, a lot of familiar faces are still involved in the decision-making, as it’s likely that Broccoli will handpick the next Bond as she did with Craig. The difference is now she’s got Pascal and Heyman’s brains to pick as well.
5 Betting Tips: Navigating the Odds
For those of you actually looking to put some money on the line (purely for research purposes, of course), the Bond betting scene is a minefield that’s littered with hearsay and hopeful long shots. How do you navigate a market that can change wildly with a single tabloid story or a viral tweet? Below are a few tips (from a friend who’s perhaps a bit too invested in spy gossip) to help you play the odds:
- Follow the Buzz (but Verify): Keep an eye on entertainment news and gossip for any credible hints. When a major outlet reports an actor had a meeting with EON or did a hush-hush screen test, odds will shift fast. Always verify if the source is legit. A Reddit rumor or “my cousin’s friend works at Pinewood” post isn’t gold-standard info. Case in point: that whirlwind of bets on James Norton when a surge of support rolled in was all based on genuine buzz (and his stellar performance on TV), but such spikes can fade if nothing solid follows. Don’t let FOMO be the only reason you drop cash on a name.
- Mind the Age and Stage: The Bond producers have given us some clues. They’re looking for someone in their 30s who can carry the role for a decade or more. This means you might want to think twice about betting on that amazing 50-something actor you love (sorry, the math just doesn’t math for multiple films). Look at the ages of contenders and their career stage. An actor on the cusp of big-time fame, who’s in their early 30s, is prime Bond material. I can yell, “TOM HARDY OR WE RIOT,” but the smart money considered the longevity factor years ago. In betting, it pays (literally) to be a little ageist.
- Watch the Odd (Odds) Moves: The Bond odds move in mysterious ways. One bookmaker could slash odds on an actor, and others will hold steady or lengthen them. This usually means that one bookie took a lot of bets on that name and reacted. At one point, an oddsmaker had Josh O’Connor as an even-money favorite out of the blue, so they got intel oran influx that others didn’t. If you see a lone sportsbook diverging insanely from the general consensus, it could be an opportunity. Either they know something (so jump on it before others adjust) or it’s a fluke (in which case, maybe capitalize on better odds elsewhere for the same person). Shop around and compare odds before placing your bet.
- Embrace the Wild Card (within reason): Historically, the revealed Bond wasn’t always the longtime odds leader. Timothy Dalton wasn’t atop any public wishlists until basically he was announced. Daniel Craig was a dark horse until late in the game. That means there’s always a chance an under-the-radar pick wins, and that’s where the big payouts are hiding. Putting a few bucks on a wild card (say someone with 20/1 odds or higher that you have a good feeling about) can be a fun lottery ticket. But don’t go overboard; there’s a reason they’re long shots. But if you had slapped $10 on Craig when he was, say, 50/1, you’d have been very happy come 2005. Moderation should be used, so sprinkle, don’t pour, on the long shots.
- Lastly, Have Fun and Don’t “Die” Another Day: Remember that betting on Bond is meant to add some fun, so treat it as entertainment. One could be super logical, follow all the trade news, analyze actor schedules (hmm, why did so-and-so clear their calendar for the next six months? Are they secretly prepping for Bond?), and still get it wrong because Barbara Broccoli’s gut feeling is something that no one could predict. If you win your bet, you’ll have bragging rights and extra cash to celebrate when the new Bond’s first trailer drops. If you lose, you still get a new Bond era—and that’s worth raising a vodka martini to. Cheerio!
Conclusion: The Name’s…Still Unknown
As it stands now, the only certainties in the Bond sweepstakes are that nothing is certain and that the speculation is the fun part. The next 007 could be one of the dashing gentlemen we highlighted, or it could be someone who isn’t even on our bingo card.
EON Productions is notoriously adept at keeping secrets under lock and key, so when the announcement finally does come, expect it to drop like a proverbial ton of bricks on the internet. Until that day, we’ll keep debating Henry Cavill’s merits versus Theo James’s odds, we’ll scrutinize every vaguely Bond-ish comment an actor makes on a press tour, and yes, we’ll keep refreshing those betting boards for any sudden movements.
The beauty of this whole speculation circus is that it comes from a place of love. James Bond isn’t just some role. It’s a modern myth that’s been passed down and reinterpreted through the decades by different actors for new generations. We all just want the next one to be awesome. If you’re Team Cavill, Team Taylor-Johnson, Team “Someone Completely New,” or just like watching the drama around it, one thing’s for sure: when Bond is back, we’ll be there.
Here’s to the next era of 007, and hopefully it arrives sooner rather than later! Until then, keep the theories coming, enjoy the odds game if that’s your thing, and remember that in the grand casino of Bond casting, the house (a.k.a. Barbara Broccoli and crew) always wins in the end by surprising us. The name is unknown, but when it’s revealed, the Bond…James Bond’s prophecy will be fulfilled.
