It’s been nearly four years since we said goodbye to Daniel Craig’s James Bond in No Time to Die. Since then, the internet has been full of rumours about who will be the next actor to take on the 007 mantle.
Rumours have picked up throughout 2024, and it looks like we might finally get an announcement about Bond 26 and the latest actor to play Bond in early 2025.
In this James Bond odds article, I am going to take a look at all of the leading candidates, provide my thoughts on who should and shouldn’t be considered for the role, and offer some James Bond betting tips.
What are Bond producers looking for?
What exactly makes the perfect Bond? Most Bond fans will tell you there is no correct answer to this question, with each previous Bond bringing something new to the role. The Broccolis, the people partly responsible for making the decision, have, however, stated that some criteria would need to be filled.
The new Bond, they say, would need to be in his 30s, be physically fit, have bundles of charisma, and be able to bring something fresh to the role. Crucially, perhaps, would also need to be able to commit to the role for the next decade.
This, you would think, would rule out several names. Actors like Henry Cavill, for example, have other big projects in the pipeline, as do names like Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson, both of which are rumoured to be playing the Beatles in an upcoming series of biopics.
These criteria will provide us with a basis for our analysis of the James Bond odds throughout this article.
Next James Bond actor odds
The internet is always full of rumours about who the next James Bond will be. The odds have changed considerably since Daniel Craig retired, with Josh O’Connor recently emerging as the new favourite, with Paddy Power pricing him at 4/6.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was long considered the favourite, but he has now slipped into second position and is available at 4/1. British TV stars like Theo James, James Norton, and Jack Lowden, all of which have had huge years, are available at 4/1, 7/1, and 8/1, respectively.
Irish star Paul Mescal has jumped up the odds. The Normal People star is priced at 11/2 following the commercial and critical success of Gladiator 2.
Older names like Cillian Murphy, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Tom Hardy have all slipped down the odds. Several of these names have been favourites at one point, but the passage of time and other commitments have seen their odds extended considerably.
The list of actors listed below are the ones most favoured by the UK bookies and the most popularly discussed on the internet.
| Actor | Best James Bond odd (for that actor) |
Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Josh O’Connor | 4/6 | Paddy Power |
| Aaron Taylor-Johnson | 4/1 | Paddy Power |
| Theo James | 4/1 | Coral |
| Paul Mescal | 11/2 | Betfair |
| Aaron Pierre | 7/1 | Paddy Power |
| Cillian Murphy | 7/1 | Paddy Power |
| James Norton | 7/1 | Betfair |
| Callum Turner | 7/1 | Betfred |
| Henry Cavill | 15/2 | Paddy Power |
| Jack Lowden | 8/1 | Paddy Power |
| Joe Alwyn | 10/1 | Coral |
| Harris Dickinson | 10/1 | Coral |
| Rege-Jean Page | 10/1 | Paddy Power |
| Tom Hardy | 12/1 | Betfred |
| Lucien Laviscount | 12/1 | Betfred |
| Idris Elba | 16/1 | Betfred |
Who are the likely actors to be the next James Bond?
As a lifelong Bond fan, I have spent many hours discussing who should be the next James Bond with friends. With such an unusually long gap between films, opinion on this has shifted, with several actors dropping out of the race or signing on to other projects.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was the favourite for Bond for some time, and he can certainly not be ruled out of the running. However, for me, he would be the wrong choice.
His performances in Bullet Train and Kraven the Hunter failed to persuade me that he is the type of actor the role requires, and many Bond fans have expressed similar sentiments online. However, he is still the second favourite with most bookies, coming in at 4/1 with Paddy Power.
Bet on Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be the next 007 at 4/1 with Paddy Power
Josh O’Connor
The man who has moved into the favourite position, seemingly out of the blue, is Josh O’Connor. O’Connor was shot to fame following his performance as Prince Charles in The Crown, and he has had a break-out year in Hollywood following his critically acclaimed performance in Challengers.
A Hollywood Reporter article about him as the next Bond has seen his price come in, and he is now the favourite with several bookmakers. While he wouldn’t be my first choice, I think he could make the role his own. He is an outstanding talent and has bags of charisma. I certainly wouldn’t be displeased if he were announced. You can back him at 4/6 with Paddy Power.
Back Josh O’Connor to be the next Bond at 4/6 with Paddy Power
Theo James
Another favourite, Theo James, has also had a breakout year and ticks many of the right boxes. His turn in The Gentleman was brilliant, allowing him to showcase the suave Britishness required of the role.
Getting Bond right is challenging; you need to believe they can kill a man but also be able to imagine them swigging a vodka martini (shaken, not stirred, of course) at a casino bar.
Theo James brings both of these qualities to the role, and it’s great to see him emerge as one of the favourites, with Paddy Power pricing him at 4/1. This is a bet I believe could offer significant value.
Tip Theo James to be in his Majesty’s service at 4/1 with Paddy Power
James Norton
James Norton would also be another man who could add something really interesting to the role. His performance in Happy Valley has made him a star, but he has yet to break into Hollywood. We have seen this with several Bond actors in the past, and he could be perfectly positioned to break out. You can back him at 7/1
Back James Norton as next Bond at 7/1 with Betfred
Rege-Jean Page
There are some other top candidates I would love to see take on the role. Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page could take the franchise in an interesting direction, but he has seen his odds plummet significantly, and he now sits at 10/1.
Tip Rege-Jean Page as new 007 at 10/1 with Betfred
Henry Cavill
Of course, Henry Cavill will always be a popular choice, and he is never too far from the bookies’ list. He’s British, handsome, and has a strong history of playing action-hero roles. However, as I’ve already mentioned, he is unlikely to commit to such a long-lasting role, and this is reflected in his longer odds at 15/2.
Bet on Henry Cavill as new Bond at 15/2 with Betfred
Who will not be the next James Bond?
For several of the names on this list, it feels as though their opportunity may have already passed. Idris Elba, a longtime favourite with the bookies, is now 52 years old, making him the oldest debut Bond by a long way.
Likewise, Cillian Murphy. The Irish Academy Award winner turned 48 this year, which should put him out of the running. Despite this, he still has better odds than some younger, better-suited names and can be found at 7/1.
I also feel some suggestions are too heavily linked with other roles. Tom Hiddleston, for example, picked up a lot of buzz after his turn in The Night Manager in 2016, but he is far too associated with the MCU, and we all know Loki will make a comeback eventually.
Big shoes to fill
There are few roles in cinema quite as iconic as James Bond. 007 has been a staple of the silver screen since Sean Connery burst onto our screens in Dr No in 1962. Let’s take a look at some of the actors who have played the role:
Sean Connery
For many, the original and the best Bond. Sean Connery would star in an initial five films before leaving the franchise and returning for a sixth, Diamonds are Forever, following George Lazenby’s exit.
George Lazenby
George Lazenby is often viewed by many as the worst Bond, but this is far from the case. Lazenby left after only one film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, after he disagreed with the producers. This had nothing to do with his performance; rather, he didn’t share the same vision for the franchise. Many Bond fans, myself included, consider On Her Majesty’s Secret Service to be one of the best Bond films ever made.
Roger Moore
After Sean Connery stepped in for one last movie, Roger Moore took on the role in the franchise’s eighth movie, Live and Let Die. Moore has played Bond more than any other actor, notching up seven performances as 007. His films vary in quality, with the 80s being a wild time for the franchise.
Timothy Dalton
As the 80s drew to a close, Eon decided to drag Bond in a different direction. Welsh actor Timothy Dalton donned the famous tux for two movies: The Living Daylights and License to Kill. The latter of these is a bit of an anomaly in the franchise, being arguably the darkest and most violent Bond film ever made.
Pierce Brosnan
After a six-year absence, Bond was back on our screens in the mid-90s, with Pierce Brosnan taking the character back to his more charming routes. Goldeneye is widely regarded as one of the best Bond films ever made, while his other three movies all proved divisive.
Daniel Craig
And finally, Daniel Craig. It seems crazy now, but there was a lot of backlash when Craig was announced as Bond, with many fans questioning his height and blonde hair. How wrong they turned out to be, with Craig modernising the series and making it more popular than it had ever been. Skyfall, Craig’s third film, is the highest-grossing Bond film of all time. It also bagged several major awards, including the Outstanding British Film award at the 2013 BAFTAs.
A final look at James Bond odds
The race for the next James Bond has heated up considerably in recent months. With no confirmation as to when an official announcement will be made, it is worth monitoring these markets, as they could change drastically at any moment. One thing is for sure: whoever is cast, after such a long wait, anticipation for their first movie is going to be at an all-time high.
About the author
Liam Hoofe
Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.
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