James Bond vs Amazon: When will we learn the identity of the new 007 actor?

The year isn’t over yet, but we’ve published our favourite films of 2024 already and it’s not too early to start thinking about what 2025 has in store for us.  

We have Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later to look forward to, as well as Bong Joon-ho's Mickey 17, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and the new Yorgos Lanthimos film, Bugonia. But one question remains: When are we going to find out the identity of the next actor to play James Bond?  

Speculation has been running wild ever since Daniel Craig hung up the tuxedo after 2021’s No Time To Die, and not a week seems to go by without hot takes and predictions on the casting of the next 007.  

According to several sources, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli - who is the steward of EON Productions (the production company behind the Bond series) alongside her half-brother Michael G. Wilson - is said to be relaxed about casting a person of colour or a gay actor, but much less comfortable with a female or non-British Bond. 

We also know that Bond 26 will be a reboot, following the death of James Bond in Craig’s final adventure. 

There was no spoiler warning there, because chances are if you clicked on this story, you’ve either seen the film or know the outcome. And for those of you who just gasped, it’s been nearly four years - No Time To Sulk.

As we reported, the big name circling the role is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who reportedly screen-tested for the role. However, as is usually the case, the second the press get a whiff of something and a name preemptively emerges for Bond, you can be sure it won’t be that actor.

Many are still hoping that we will finally learn who plays the seventh 007 in 2025.

Bad news though: there’s trouble afoot.

According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal,