The Race to 007: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Jacob Elordi Are All Tied

The quest for the next James Bond has become one of Hollywood’s most intriguing casting conundrums. Following Daniel Craig’s departure in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’, speculation about who will don the iconic tuxedo and wield the Walther PPK has dominated entertainment news, fan discussions, and betting sites alike.

In June 2025, the franchise’s future began to take shape when Amazon MGM Studios announced that ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve would direct the 26th official Bond film, with ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight set to write the script. The combination of such esteemed talent and the legacy of 007 has only heightened public curiosity about the next leading man.

Recently, a notable shift in the betting markets has caught the eye of social media users. A chart shared by Kalshi Culture on X indicates that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Jacob Elordi are all currently tied at a 12 percent probability of being cast as the next 007. This rare three-way deadlock has sparked significant conversation, with the post garnering over 1.2 million views shortly after its release.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, known for his roles in ‘Kick-Ass’ and ‘Bullet Train’, has long been a frontrunner in the betting odds and was once seen as a near certainty for the role. At the premiere of ’28 Years Later’ in London, when asked by Deadline about his future projects, he cryptically replied, “I can’t talk about it,” before being whisked away by his publicist. This brief comment has kept fans buzzing and his name firmly in the mix.

Jacob Elordi, the 28-year-old star of ‘Euphoria’, ‘Saltburn’, and Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’, has emerged as a strong candidate after rumors in February 2026 suggested he might have been offered the role. If cast, Elordi would not only be the second Australian to portray Bond after George Lazenby but also the tallest actor to take on the legendary spy at six foot five.

Henry Cavill has been associated with the role for years, thanks to his impressive physique and commanding screen presence, making him a fan favorite. However, his current odds have shifted to around 6/1 as whispers indicate Villeneuve may be leaning towards a younger actor.

According to a Variety report, names like Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, and Tom Holland have surfaced as top contenders on Amazon’s wishlist, with the studio seemingly favoring British actors under thirty for what is anticipated to be a franchise reboot. Deadline’s film reporter Justin Kroll has hinted that an official casting announcement could be made by mid-year, suggesting the wait for clarity may soon be over.

With the betting markets reflecting a genuine three-way tie and industry insiders hinting at an imminent reveal, the race for 007 has never felt more thrilling. Share your thoughts in the comments about who you believe should be the next James Bond and why.