Brit + Co Logo

BRB while we drool...

The James Bond Cast Rumors Are Insane — 5 Men We Think Have Major Chances

james bond cast rumors
Andreas Rentz & Amy Sussman/Getty Images

It has been over three and a half years since Daniel Craig's final James Bond movie, No Time to Die, premiered in October 2021. Amazon has since acquired the Bond franchise, and now that a new film is finally in the works, fans around the globe are wondering who will continue the legacy of 007.

Following Daniel's majorly successful five-year streak as the spy, he's passing the torch and leaving behind some pretty big shoes to fill. Still, the next Bond has yet to be cast, prompting plenty of speculation online. And the casting rumors — full of very, very attractive men — definitely do not disappoint. Here's who everyone thinks could be the next Bond!


Scroll to see the rumored top contenders to play James Bond next...

Theo James

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

1. Theo James

First up on the watch list is Theo James, most well-known for starring in The Gentlemen andThe White Lotusseason 2. The 40-year-old from Oxford, England, would be the right age for the role, but Theo himself actually pushed back against the idea in 2024.

"Everyone's interested in that because it's a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn't be me. I do think there are better people for that job," he explained to The Guardianat the time.

"And honestly, it would be terrifying: if you do that, there's no going back. You are opening Pandora's box there. You have got to be willing to live a very different life and have a different life for your family. And that would be pretty tricky."

So, while many still want the iconic role to go to Theo James, fans have begun setting their sights on other potential Bond actors, like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John O'Connor, Regé-Jean Page, and Henry Cavill.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

2. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Starting with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, he is 34 years old, and his slightly younger age could be beneficial to the franchise, allowing them to hold onto the same 007 for a bit longer. But, ever since The Sun reported that Aaron could snag the role "should he wish to accept it" in 2022, the actor has been avoiding questions about the franchise.

Josh O'Connor

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

3. Josh O'Connor

Meanwhile, Josh O'Connor previously joked to Deadline, saying, "Wouldn't it be funny if I played Bond?" and the idea really riled up fans. Just like Aaron, Josh is 34, but it appears his quip might've been just that. In fact, in 2025, he claimed to "have no thoughts" on the role, saying he and Daniel Craig "did an Actors on Actors, and then something else happened, and then suddenly I was James Bond. If I am Bond, I don't know about it."

Reg\u00e9-Jean Page

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

4. Regé-Jean Page

Following Regé-Jean Page's portrayal of the Duke of Hastings in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, he also got thrust into the 007 conversation. But even though he expressed flattery over the speculation in 2023, he hasn't indicated any part in the next Bond film and, at the time, stated to Vanity Fairthat he had "enough on his plate."

Henry Cavill

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

5. Henry Cavill

Finally, one more so-called frontrunner for the spy franchise is Henry Cavill. During a 2024 appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he didn't seem that opposed to becoming the next Bond, either. Nonetheless, when asked whether he thought he'd get cast, the 41-year-old admitted his age may be an issue.

"I have no idea; all I've got to go on are the rumors. The same information you have. Maybe I'm too old now, maybe I'm not, we'll see," he replied.

Idris Elba

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Other Potential James Bond Actors

Some other actors that fans believe are potentially Bond-worthy include Joe Alwyn, Paul Mescal, Richard Madden, and Idris Elba. Still, it seems that we will just have to wait and see until the next film, expected to be released in theaters by the end of 2027, gets further into production and promotion.

Looking for more movie & entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

Selfmade

Selfmade

A business accelerator for early-stage female founders with live workshops, 1:1 mentoring, online courses, and curated business support. Visit

Yap City

Yap City

Want the inside scoop on what’s really trending? Join insider hosts Chloe Williams and Kayla Walden each week as they dissect their latest TV & movie obsessions, must-read books, and OMG moments you won’t believe. Visit