James Bond: Insider Reports on New Top Choice for Bond
Has the new 007 been found?
Is this the new James Bond? According to Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, director Denis Villeneuve has a clear favorite for the role. The actor in question is Callum Turner. Sneider himself admits that it is still quite early to make a casting decision. After all, casting has not yet officially begun. Turner has therefore not yet been offered the role. Nevertheless, Villeneuve is said to have already considered him as a preferred candidate.
Turner may be familiar to "Harry Potter" fans as Newt Scamander's brother Theseus from the "Fantastic Beasts" films. He was also part of the cast of the Apple TV series "Masters of the Air". The actor can currently be seen in the movie "Eternity" alongside Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller.
But is Turner also the next James Bond? At least some of the required criteria apply to him. Turner is British, in his mid-30s, and still relatively unknown. It was recently announced that they were looking for a rather fresh face for the new 007. Fan favorites such as Henry Cavill or Idris Elba have probably been ruled out.
A rough timetable for the new "James Bond" film has already been drawn up: According to the current production schedule, casting and pre-production will take place in 2026, followed by filming in 2027. That would point towards a theatrical release in 2028.
What can we expect?
Screenwriter Steven Knight is apparently basing the plot of the new "Bond" film on the early novels by Ian Fleming – works such as "Casino Royale", "Moonraker" and "Doctor No". According to reports, a rather young version of James Bond is planned, possibly even before his time at MI6. The Daniel Craig era had already taken a similar approach: It initially featured a fresh-faced, still raw agent who gradually developed into a classic movie character as the films progressed.
The choice of director and screenwriter also gives an initial indication of the style of the new film. It is worth taking a look at their filmography. Denis Villeneuve laid the foundations for his Hollywood career with the acclaimed thrillers "Prisoners" and "Sicario". He then made a name for himself in the science fiction genre with "Arrival" and "Blade Runner 2049". Most recently, he wowed audiences with the "Dune" films. Villeneuve himself has shared that he grew up with the Bond films and is a passionate fan of the franchise.
Knight is best known as the creator and showrunner of the hit series "Peaky Blinders". He also developed the historical series "Taboo" with Tom Hardy. Knight has also made a name for himself in the cinema: for example, he penned the screenplay for David Cronenberg's gangster thriller "Eastern Promises".
Both are known for their uncompromising thrillers, particularly through works such as "Sicario" and "Eastern Promises". Villeneuve and Knight often rely on morally ambivalent main characters, which is why it is very likely that the new James Bond will not be a shining hero in the classic sense. Light, colorful popcorn entertainment is also unlikely to be the main focus. It remains exciting to see how much the creators will bring their personal style to the table – and how seriously Villeneuve will actually honor the traditions of the franchise.
Amazon takes over Bond: what's next for 007
Probably the biggest change behind the scenes took place at the beginning of 2025: Amazon MGM was given full creative control of the "James Bond" franchise. The reason for this is the takeover of the traditional film studio MGM by Amazon in 2022. Part of the deal was also the "James Bond" IP – the rights were previously held equally by MGM and Eon Productions. Although they remain co-owners, they are now leaving Amazon completely in control.
This move marks a significant turning point in the history of "Bond", as Eon Productions has always been closely associated with the series. The specific consequences of this are not yet fully clear. It is possible that we can expect the franchise to expand beyond the cinema. The reality show "007: Road to a Million" launched on Amazon in 2023. Series and spin-offs are also conceivable in the future.
