The wait to find out who will become the next James Bond may soon be over, according to producer Amy Pascal.
In a new interview with Deadline, Pascal suggested that the announcement of the actor taking on the iconic 007 role could happen before the end of 2026. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” Pascal said.
She also explained why the casting process has been taking so much time, noting the importance of finding someone who can follow in Daniel Craig’s footsteps. “We are being really, really methodical,” she said. “Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.”
Pascal and producing partner David Heyman took creative control of the Bond franchise in 2025 after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped away from the series. Amazon MGM’s acquisition of the full Bond rights from Broccoli and Wilson was reportedly valued at $20 million.
Director Denis Villeneuve and the production team have already informed actors about a final round of auditions scheduled for August, according to Euronews. Amazon MGM confirmed that the casting process officially began in June, stating that the studio is “excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Several names have been linked to the role, including Callum Turner (Masters of the Air), Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden, Louis Partridge, Harris Dickinson, and Patrick Gibson, who voices Bond in the video game 007 First Light.
Bond 26 is currently aiming for a 2028 release, with production expected to begin in 2027. Villeneuve is set to start filming after completing Dune: Part Three, which hits theaters on Dec. 19.
