Callum Turner, the English actor recognized for his work in Fantastic Beasts, The Boys in the Boat, Green Room and more, is reportedly emerging as a top contender to become the next James Bond.
The Standard reports that a source from betting company Coral revealed the 35-year-old has surged ahead in the odds following his lead role in the new A24 romantic comedy Eternity, where he stars alongside Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller.
“We’ve been knocked over with support for Callum Turner in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours,” Coral’s John Hill shared. “The British actor is now the red-hot favourite for the role.”
Other contenders said to be in the mix to take over the franchise from Daniel Craig include Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill, among others. Still, the Bond team is reportedly searching for someone in their mid-20s to early 30s.
Back in September, Deadline revealed that director Denis Villeneuve is looking for a “‘fresh face’ to take on the 007 mantle in Bond 26.”
The report also stated that “James Bond will be male, as written by creator Ian Fleming, and importantly, will be an actor who hails from the British Isles.”
The upcoming Bond movie will also be a full reboot of the iconic spy, and not a continuation from the ending of the 2021 action drama No Time to Die.
Turner may also hold a slight edge thanks to being engaged to British pop star Dua Lipa, who made her acting debut in the 2023 comedy Barbie.
In August, former Bond star Pierce Brosnan said he’d be open to returning to the franchise — but only under a certain condition.
He joked to Radio Times that he’d come back as a “senior citizen,” though he admitted no one wants to see a “craggy, 72-year-old Bond.”
“My wife Keely [Shaye Smith] and I have been listening to the drumbeat of expectation of who’s going to be the next James Bond,” Brosnan shared. “There are many great candidates out there, and I’m sure they’re going to make it a spectacle of delight.”
“If Villeneuve had something up his sleeve, I would look at it in a heartbeat,” he added. “Why not? It’s great entertainment. It could be lots of laughs. Bald caps, prosthetics… who knows?”
He wrapped up by saying, “I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character.”
