The Seven Men Who Defined 007: And The Shocking New Frontrunner For The Next James Bond In 2025

The search for the next James Bond is officially the most scrutinised casting decision in modern cinema, and as of late 2025, the race has narrowed to a surprising new frontrunner. Following Daniel Craig's emotional departure in No Time to Die, the iconic 007 role is set for a complete reboot under the new creative oversight of EON Productions and Amazon MGM Studios. This article details the full history of every official actor to wield the Walther PPK and reveals the latest, most credible rumours and odds on who will be the next secret agent to define a generation.

The next actor to play James Bond will become only the seventh official star in the EON Productions series, a lineage that stretches back over six decades to the character's debut in 1962. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are reportedly looking for a younger actor who can commit to a multi-film, decade-long tenure, shifting the focus to the agent's formative years. The latest buzz points toward a major British rising star, a development that has completely upended the long-standing betting odds.

The Official 007 Lineage: A Complete Biography of Every EON James Bond Actor

The James Bond franchise, based on the novels of Ian Fleming, has been defined by six official actors who have portrayed the character in the canonical EON Productions series. Each brought a distinct style, from the suave grit of the original to the psychological depth of the modern era.

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• Sean Connery (1962–1967, 1971)
  • Born: August 25, 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • EON Films: 6 (Dr. No to Diamonds Are Forever)
  • Legacy: The original, defining the character with a blend of rugged charm, danger, and a signature Scottish accent. He set the gold standard for all future Bonds.
• George Lazenby (1969)
  • Born: September 5, 1939, Goulburn, Australia
  • EON Films: 1 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
  • Legacy: The only Australian to play Bond and the shortest tenure. His single film is now widely considered one of the franchise's best, showcasing a more emotional and vulnerable side of 007.
• Roger Moore (1973–1985)
  • Born: October 14, 1927, Stockwell, London, England
  • EON Films: 7 (Live and Let Die to A View to a Kill)
  • Legacy: The longest-serving Bond by film count. Moore introduced a lighter, more humorous, and sophisticated style, leaning heavily into gadgets and witty one-liners.
• Timothy Dalton (1987–1989)
  • Born: March 21, 1946, Colwyn Bay, Wales
  • EON Films: 2 (The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill)
  • Legacy: A return to Ian Fleming’s darker, more serious interpretation of the character. Dalton’s Bond was a professional, often ruthless agent, foreshadowing the tone of the Daniel Craig era.
• Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002)
  • Born: May 16, 1953, Drogheda, Ireland
  • EON Films: 4 (GoldenEye to Die Another Day)
  • Legacy: Successfully revitalised the franchise for the post-Cold War era. Brosnan perfectly balanced the classic Connery-Moore charisma with modern action, bridging the gap between old and new.
• Daniel Craig (2006–2021)
  • Born: March 2, 1968, Chester, England
  • EON Films: 5 (Casino Royale to No Time to Die)
  • Legacy: Ushered in the "reboot" era, grounding the character in gritty realism and exploring his emotional arc, culminating in a definitive, tragic conclusion.

The Next 007: Why Callum Turner Is The New Hot Favourite

For years, the conversation around the next James Bond was dominated by established names like Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy. However, the latest reports and industry whispers, which have been consistently reliable in the past, indicate a significant shift in EON's strategy. The search is for a younger, less globally famous actor who can be molded into a new, long-term face of the franchise.

As of late 2025, the name consistently at the top of the rumour mill, with strong backing from UK media sources, is Callum Turner. Turner, a British actor known for roles in *Fantastic Beasts* and *Masters of the Air*, has reportedly moved ahead of other long-standing candidates in the betting odds.

The key factors propelling Turner's candidacy include:

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• Age Profile: At around 35 years old, he fits the desired profile for a younger Bond who can carry a three-to-four-film arc over a decade.
• Rising Star Status: He possesses a strong filmography but is not yet a global superstar, allowing the Bond role to define his career, a strategy that worked successfully for Daniel Craig (who was primarily known for films like *Layer Cake* before *Casino Royale*).
• The "Right" Look: He has the classic British leading man aesthetic, which producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are known to favour.

The other major candidate who remains a strong contender is Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Reports from late 2024 suggested Taylor-Johnson had a meeting with EON Productions and was high on their list. While the producers have remained tight-lipped, the persistent nature of the Taylor-Johnson and Turner rumours suggests the final choice will be a young actor from this pool of rising British talent.

The Future of the James Bond Franchise: A Full Reboot and New Direction

The next James Bond film, often referred to as Bond 26, will be the first under the new ownership structure following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in 2022, though EON Productions retains creative control. This new era is planned as a complete cinematic reboot, focusing on the character's early days as a Double-O agent, a concept often called "Bond: Year One."

Key details and entities surrounding the new era include:

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• The Producers: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson remain the ultimate gatekeepers, emphasizing that no casting decision will be made until the script is finalized.
• The Writer: Rumours suggest acclaimed screenwriter Steven Knight, known for *Peaky Blinders*, may be involved in penning the new 007 era, indicating a focus on character and intense drama.
• The Director: There is strong speculation that Denis Villeneuve, the visionary director of *Dune*, is a top choice for the new film, which is tentatively expected to release around 2027.
• The Casting Requirement: The new Bond is expected to be significantly younger than Daniel Craig was when he started, likely in his early to mid-thirties, to allow for a long-running, interconnected trilogy.

This reboot is a deliberate move away from the established continuity of the Craig films, which ended with Bond's death in *No Time to Die*. The new film will reset the timeline, introducing a fresh M, Moneypenny, and Q, and will likely feature a more traditional espionage plotline rather than a deeply personal revenge story.

Lesser-Known Facts and Casting Controversies of 007

The history of casting James Bond is filled with near-misses, surprising contracts, and unconventional choices, all of which add to the topical authority of the franchise.

The "No Tuxedo" Clause

One of the most famous and unusual demands in the James Bond contract is the "no tuxedo" clause. Actors who play 007 are often contractually forbidden from wearing a tuxedo in any other film during their tenure as Bond. This is a measure to protect the character's iconic image and prevent any competitive spy films from capitalizing on the actor's association with 007. Pierce Brosnan famously had this clause in his contract.

The Non-EON Bonds and Near Misses

While only six actors are considered official, two others have played the character in unofficial films. David Niven played Bond in the 1967 satirical film Casino Royale, and Sean Connery returned for the non-EON film Never Say Never Again in 1983. Additionally, a little-known entity named John Gavin was contracted to play Bond after George Lazenby, but when Connery was persuaded to return for *Diamonds Are Forever*, Gavin's contract was paid out, and he never filmed a scene as 007.

The Unconventional Casting of the First Bond

Sean Connery’s casting was a huge gamble. He was an unknown actor with an unconventional background, having previously worked as a milkman, a coffin polisher, and a model who competed in the Mr. Universe competition. The producers initially wanted a more established star, but Connery's raw charisma convinced them, proving that the best choice for Bond often comes from outside the established A-list. This historical precedent is a major reason why the current search is focused on younger, less-known actors like Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.