Amazon MGM Studios Seeks Young, Unknown British Actor for Next James Bond
Amazon MGM Studios is searching for a British actor in their 20s or 30s, with limited industry recognition, to take on the role of James Bond, according to a report by Deadline. This narrows the field, excluding previously speculated American actors like Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Austin Butler, and Jacob Elordi, as well as veteran contenders Tom Hardy (47), Idris Elba (53), and Henry Cavill (42).
The studio aims to replicate the success of casting relatively unknown actors who later became stars, such as Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct, with Steven Knight writing the script. Knight, known for creating strong characters, intends to portray Bond as a former Royal Navy commander recruited by MI6.
A source close to the project, cited by Bamigboye, stated the actor “has to be seen as if he could kill you with his own hands in a jiffy. From the moment you see it, that has to be evident.”
An official declaration is pending, as Villeneuve is currently filming Dune: Part three. Production sources describe the upcoming Bond film as ”a new Bond, a new beginning, a new whole.”
To date, there have been 25 James Bond films, beginning with Dr. No in 1962 starring Sean Connery, and most recently No Time to die (2021) with Daniel Craig. Six actors have portrayed Bond: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have affirmed their commitment to preserving the franchise’s core identity.
