The identity of the next James Bond remains one of Hollywood's most closely guarded secrets, with speculation surrounding several actors who could take over the iconic role from Daniel Craig. While fans continue to debate who could be the next 007, the filmmaker entrusted with bringing the spy back to the big screen recently came close to letting the secret slip, only to pull back at the last moment.
Director Denis Villeneuve, who is helming the next instalment in the long-running James Bond franchise, made the playful tease while accepting an honour at the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday (November 7). Reportedly, the filmmaker told the audience that he had an announcement to make with the blessing of his new partners at Amazon.
"I will reveal to you tonight who will be the next James Bond," Villeneuve said, before beginning to announce the actor's name. However, he stopped himself mid-sentence and joked that producer Amy Pascal was "about to have a heart attack". The remark drew laughter from the audience, but the director did not disclose any further details about the casting.
Earlier, speaking to Variety on the red carpet, Villeneuve was asked about the ongoing search for the next 007. While he refrained from commenting on specific developments, he said he was having a "great time" with the casting process. He added that every word he said about the subject would be scrutinised, suggesting that the team was being particularly careful about what it revealed.
The search for Craig's successor has been underway for several months, with several British actors reportedly being considered. Callum Turner and Jack Lowden were among the names linked to the final screen tests in October. More recently, it was reported that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult had also been screen-tested for the role, adding further intrigue to the casting process. Josh O'Connor has also been linked to the coveted part.
Villeneuve was announced as the director of the next Bond film in 2025, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing the film, while Tanya Lapointe serves as executive producer. The upcoming project will be the 26th film in the franchise and the first since Daniel Craig's No Time to Die (2021), which concluded his five-film run as the British secret agent.
Amazon MGM Studios has not officially announced the actor who will take over the role. The studio has previously said that it is taking its time with the casting process, emphasising the responsibility of continuing one of cinema's most recognisable franchises. An official announcement is expected to be one of the major developments for the Bond franchise before the end of 2026.