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A new report has detailed what acclaimed direct Denis Villeneuve and Amazon MGM Studios will be looking for when they cast the new James Bond actor. The upcoming Villeneuve-directed Bond film will be the first under Amazon’s full ownership of the intellectual property.
Ever since Daniel Craig announced he would be stepping away from the role after the release of 2021’s No Time To Die, there has been rampant speculation about who the next James Bond actor will be, with various favorites emerging over the years.
Now, according to reports, the parameters for what Amazon is looking for in its first James Bond are becoming clearer, as the studio reportedly wants an unknown male British actor in their late 20s or early 30s who “looks like they could kill you with your bare hands.”
Denis Villeneuve’s James Bond movie will cast an unknown male British actor in their late 20s or early 30s, per report
“Those familiar with the matter tell us that the director and his collaborators are seeking a ‘fresh face’ to take on the 007 mantle in Bond 26.Also, Bond … James Bond will be male, as written by creator Ian Fleming, and importantly, will be an actor who hails from the British isles. Yes, they want a Brit to play Bond,” Deadline reported.
“Those in the know tell us the ideal approach is to cast ‘an unknown,’ possibly in his late 20s or early 30s, to play what Fleming called ‘a blunt instrument’… ‘Whoever it is, has to look like he could kill you with his bare hands in a trice. From the moment you see him, that has to be readily apparent,’ a person close to discussions said.”
If truly casting an “unknown” actor, that eliminates popular fan choices such as Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johson, Theo James, Aaron Pierre, Damson Idris, Callum Turner, and Harris Dickinson, who had previously been being considered among the frontrunners for the role.
The report also confirms that Villeneuve will dive into the casting process after completing work on Dune: Part Three, the third and final film in his acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, which reportedly began production this summer.
“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,” Villeneuve said in a statement when he was announced as the director of the 26th Bond movie.
“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,” Villeneuve said in a statement.
At this time, Villeneuve’s still-untitled James Bond film will be released in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.