Do we finally know the name of the next James Bond?
Maybe. We have got a new strong favourite. The odds on Callum Turner have just shortened from 3/1 to 8/13. That noted, we have entertained a near-endless list of “favourites” since Daniel Craig bowed out in 2021: Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy, Regé-Jean Page…
But I heard it was Mr Saoirse Ronan out of Slow Horses?
Jack Lowden, husband to our Saoirse, was indeed the last “strong favourite”. About two weeks ago, rumours emerged that four actors had been called in for auditions: Turner, Lowden, Josh O’Connor and one other mystery figure. An earlier tip from the all-seeing Richard Osman shortened Lowden’s odds. But sources in underground car parks now mention Mr Dua Lipa out of Rose of Nevada.
What now?
Turner married that admirable English singer in May of this year. She is still more famous than him. For now.
I’d say so. Who the heck is Callum Turner?
Raised on a council estate in Chelsea, he began as a model before moving into acting on John Boorman’s autobiographical Queen and Country from 2014. Last year, you could see him in two fine films: Mark Jenkin’s spooky Rose of Nevada and the supernatural romcom Eternity from Irish director David Freyne.
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Why might he get to be James Bond?
First, he fits the basic requirements. Two years ago, Barbara Broccoli, long custodian of the Bond empire, clarified the next Bond “will be a man. He’ll likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given.” In February of 2025, to massed surprise, the rights passed to Amazon MGM Studios, but it is felt the character will still be so defined. Bond bores (ahem) will point out that Turner looks more like the singer Hoagy Carmichael – to whom Ian Fleming compared 007 in the first novel – than does any previous incumbent. Pundits have seen Turner’s recent resignation as director of his production company as sign of a change in prospects.
So when will we know?
Soon. Amy Pascal, a producer on the upcoming film, to be directed by Denis Villeneuve, said news would be out by the end of the year. Expect a formal announcement in the style of Daniel Craig – by then a surprise to nobody – arriving by Royal Marine speedboat in 2005.
Hang on? Isn’t [spoiler alert] James Bond dead?
Yes James Bond [spoiler alert] died at the end of No Time to Die. Everyone expects the 26th 007 flick, like 2006’s Casino Royale, to be a complete “reboot”. That is to say it will be entirely recast and the character will embark on an independent timeline. Rumours abound some shooting may take place in Ireland.
[ Can the next James Bond really be Gen Z?Opens in new window ]
My Uncle Ulick wants it to be Idris Elba.
I’m afraid that ship sailed around 15 years ago. But The Irish Times would endorse Elba, now 54, as the next M.
