The competition to discover the next James Bond is intensifying, and with Dune director Denis Villeneuve now officially set to direct the 26th installment in the franchise, Amazon is ramping up its efforts. The streaming powerhouse, which now manages the legendary 007 series, is reportedly targeting a 2028 release date for Bond 26, a schedule that reflects the enormous scale of the production. However, one question remains - who will be the next Bond?

Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson in the epic Bond race
With Villeneuve on board, the next steps involve securing a screenwriter and, of course, casting the new Bond. According to reports from
Variety, Amazon and the franchise's producers are eager to cast a British actor under the age of 30 to infuse a fresh, youthful energy into the iconic role.

Currently generating the most buzz are
Saltburn star Jacob Elordi (despite being Australian),
Spider-Man lead Tom Holland, and emerging talent Harris Dickinson of
Babygirl fame. While Elordi's nationality might appear to be a challenge, it’s not a deal-breaker due to his talent and popularity.

Although names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and long-rumoured favourite Idris Elba have frequently emerged in fan discussions, their ages, 35, 42, and 52 respectively, seem to disqualify them under Amazon’s current vision.
ALSO READ: Denis Villeneuve Confirmed To Helm Next James Bond Film, Says Iconic Spy Is 'Sacred Territory'

Nolan was approached to direct James Bond
Initially, Amazon had its sights set on Christopher Nolan to direct, even contemplating bending their long-standing rule against granting directors final cut. However, with Nolan committed to
The Odyssey, a new epic featuring Holland and Zendaya, for at least another year, the opportunity arose for Villeneuve to step in.

As casting speculation escalates, one thing is certain: the next Bond film is preparing to unveil a new kind of 007, with a daring new direction under Villeneuve’s vision.