Speculation Heats Up as Jeff Bezos Teases 007 Casting Decision
The hunt for the next James Bond is officially on—and Amazon’s top boss, Jeff Bezos, has joined the conversation.
Bezos, whose company now holds creative control over the 007 franchise, took to social media this week, asking his 6.8 million followers: “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” The post, featuring a screenshot of a BBC News story on Amazon’s acquisition, has reignited speculation over who will step into the legendary spy’s tuxedo.
With longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping down, Amazon MGM Studios now has the final say on casting the next 007. So, which direction will they take? And who are the frontrunners for the role?
If social media chatter is anything to go by, Henry Cavill is leading the race. The former Superman actor, 41, has long expressed his desire to play Bond and was reportedly a strong contender when Daniel Craig was first cast in Casino Royale (2006).
Director Martin Campbell revealed last year that Cavill’s audition was “tremendous,” but at the time, he was considered too young for the role. Ironically, some now argue he may be too old to commit to multiple films.
Beyond Cavill, several other names have been linked to 007 over the years:
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson (34) – Previously rumored to have been offered the role, though his latest film, Kraven the Hunter, flopped at the box office, which could hurt his chances.
- James Norton (39) – The Happy Valley star has been a bookmakers’ favorite, though he calls the speculation “bemusing yet fun.”
- Tom Hardy (47) – A fan-favorite, but many believe he is too old for a long-term commitment.
- Idris Elba (52) – Once a frontrunner, Elba has ruled himself out, citing racist backlash as a major deterrent.
Some industry insiders believe Amazon may skew younger for the next Bond.
Bond expert Mark O’Connell, author of Catching Bullets, told the BBC that he expects the studio to cast an actor in their early 30s. Potential candidates include:
- Paul Mescal (28) – The Gladiator II star is gaining traction as a rising A-lister.
- Kingsley Ben-Adir (37) – With a suave confidence reminiscent of Sean Connery, the Barbie and Bob Marley: One Love actor is in the mix.
- Harris Dickinson (28) – A rising British star, currently gaining attention for his role in Babygirl alongside Nicole Kidman.
Could Amazon take Bond in a bold new direction? While Broccoli has insisted Bond will remain male, she has been open to more diverse casting.
Actors like Regé-Jean Page, Paapa Essiedu, Damson Idris, and Lucien Laviscount have been suggested as the first non-white Bond.
If Amazon did break tradition and cast a woman, Cynthia Erivo is a name that frequently comes up. However, Broccoli has previously stated she is not in favor of gender-swapping Bond.
Beyond 007 himself, Amazon’s takeover opens doors for more nuanced female characters and modernized villains.
- Monica Germanà, author of Bond Girls: Body, Fashion and Gender, hopes Amazon moves beyond the traditional “Bond girl” trope and introduces women with more depth.
- Villains in Bond films have traditionally reflected real-world fears—so could the next antagonist be tied to AI, climate change, or far-right extremism?
Many fans believe Amazon should embrace a lighter, more playful Bond, similar to the Pierce Brosnan era.
Empire critic Chris Hewitt noted that while Craig’s Bond was acclaimed for its grit, it might be time to bring back the escapist fun that defined earlier iterations.
Meanwhile, Bond expert Ajay Chowdhury predicts the new 007 will be a British actor with “the Goldilocks amount of fame”—someone well-known but not an A-list superstar.
With speculation running high, one thing is certain: Amazon’s decision will define the next era of James Bond. Until then, the guessing game continues.