By Konstantin Koos on July 14, 2025 at 04:06 pm4 min reading time

After Denis Villeneuve was recently confirmed as the director for the next "007" film, there are now new rumors about the cast. However, a new report from The Sun is not about the casting for the new James Bond. Instead, the newspaper claims to have learned that Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is being considered for the role of the so-called "Bond girl".

According to The Sun's source, Sweeney is "the top name on the casting sheet for Bond".

"Denis believes she is hugely talented, as well as having an alluring appeal to younger generations, vital in modernising the franchise."

The actress would be athletic enough for the action scenes of a "Bond" film. In addition, Sweeney is reportedly friends with both Villeneuve and Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. As is well known, Amazon took creative control of the spy franchise some time ago.

Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney had her breakthrough mainly through her series roles. She is part of the ensemble of the popular HBO series "Euphoria" and was also seen in the first season of "The White Lotus". She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performances in both series. Most recently, she was part of the horror film "Immaculate" as well as the romantic comedy "Anyone But You" alongside Glen Powell.

No cast members have been officially confirmed so far. Speculation continues to run wild, especially regarding who will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond. Among the names circulating in the rumor mill are "28 Years Later" star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, fan favorite Henry Cavill, and "Rebel Ridge" actor Aaron Pierre.

However, 007 fans can look forward to the new "Bond" film's casting announcement in the near future. With Amazon's acquisition and the official confirmation of the director, production is moving forward. According to insider reports, shooting for the new 007 film is set to begin in 2026. Denis Villeneuve is still tied up with "Dune 3" in the meantime. Therefore, the theatrical release of the next "Bond" film is not expected before 2027. But it might be about time to unveil the cast...

The Most Popular Actresses in the James Bond Series

For over six decades, the "James Bond" series has shaped cinema like no other film series – with style, action, iconic music and, of course, the so-called "Bond girls": The female characters that James Bond encounters on his missions. However, many of these actresses are much more than mere companions. They embody strong, independent characters and give the series a decisive impetus. Over the years, numerous women have become defining faces of the franchise.

Ursula Andress made her debut in 1962 as Honey Ryder in "Dr. No". Andress has thus firmly anchored herself in film history. Shortly thereafter, Honor Blackman appeared in one of the most popular "Bond" movies: She was seen as Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger". A deeper, more emotional dimension was introduced by Diana Rigg in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Her character, Tracy di Vincenzo, was not only Bond's love interest – they even got married. Her tragic story and Rigg's nuanced performance gave the film an emotional depth that remained unique for a long time.

In the 70s, Jane Seymour set a different tone as Solitaire in "Live and Let Die". Her mysterious role as a fortune teller was a central character in Roger Moore's first "Bond" adventure. Another defining figure of this era was Barbara Bach, who appeared as Soviet agent Anya Amasova in 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me". In the 90s, Famke Janssen played Xenia Onatopp in "GoldenEye". Michelle Yeoh also appeared in "Tomorrow Never Dies" as Chinese agent Wai Lin.

The Actresses of the "Craig Era"

With the reboot of the series in "Casino Royale", Eva Green appeared as Vesper Lynd. Her portrayal is still one of the best in the entire franchise: complex, vulnerable, strong – with an inner conflict that would permanently shape the character of James Bond. Vesper is Bond's great love. Their relationship and the performances of Green and Craig ensured that "Casino Royale" is one of the best and most emotional films in the agent series.

In "Spectre" and "No Time to Die", Léa Seydoux appears as Madeleine Swann in not just one, but two films. Ana de Armas also made a lasting impression – despite her limited screen time. In "No Time to Die", she shone as Paloma, winning over audiences with a blend of lightness, charm, and formidable fighting ability.

In addition to these ten actresses, one woman should not go unmentioned: Judi Dench. She does not fall into the category of classic "Bond girls", but has left a lasting mark on the franchise. As "M", she played Bond's boss in numerous movies from "GoldenEye" onwards. She is one of the most important characters of the more recent Bond era. In "Skyfall" in particular, she moved to the center of the action and gave us one of the most emotional moments of the entire film series.

The role of women in "James Bond" has changed fundamentally over the decades – from attractive companions to strong, complex and decisive characters. So it will be interesting to see whether Sydney Sweeney will actually be involved in the new "Bond" film – or whether we can expect to see a completely different actress.