It is now widely believed that Amazon will finally reveal who will play the next James Bond in 2026, lining things up nicely with the next mission being the 26th installment in the long-running franchise. With this in mind, a firm 007 favorite has emerged once again as the top contender to take over following Daniel Craig’s explosive exit in 2021’s No Time to Die. And he’d kick ass…
Four years on from Craig’s fatal departure from the iconic series and following all manner of rumors and speculation regarding who will take on the coveted role, 28 Years Later star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is back at #1 in the bookies’ rankings, according to Betway. The Kraven the Hunter and Kick-Ass actor now stands at an impressive 2/1, making him the clear odds-on favorite to be the man slipping into the iconic tuxedo and sipping on a shaken-not-stirred martini in director Denis Villeneuve’s Bond reboot.
Taylor-Johnson has been a strong frontrunner several times over the last few years, with the actor adding to the speculation after signing a deal with the franchise’s official watchmakers, Omega, back in May. The Bullet Train star has even responded to the rumors, playing things suspiciously coy whenever asked. But there are issues…
What's Keeping Aaron Taylor-Johnson From the James Bond Role?
20th Century Studios
While Aaron Taylor-Johnson may be the current favorite so close to a potential announcement, there are certain factors working against him. First off, aged 35, he’s older than the “young” 007 that the studio is reportedly looking for. The actor also boasts several prominent roles in major projects, making him far from the “fresh face” that usually leads the franchise into its next era. Despite all this, it’s impossible to deny his potential for the role.
Turning to the rest of the top-ranked 007 choices, The Gentlemen’s Theo James and MCU star Idris Elba trail behind Taylor-Johnson with odds of 5/1, while Rebel Ridge star Aaron Pierre and Fantastic Beasts’ Callum Turner, the latter of whom has been called a “red-hot favorite” in the past, follow just behind at 6/1. Other names in contention include Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, former Superman and long-time fan favorite Henry Cavill, King and Conqueror’s James Norton, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery star John O’Connor.
Details surrounding James Bond 26 remain as secretive as you’d expect, but as we go into 2026 we can expect to hear some official announcements from Amazon. For now, what we do know is that Dune and Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve will helm the project from a script written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, with the filmmaker calling the project “sacred territory” and “a huge honor.”
"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. 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. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust."
