MOVIE NEWS – For months, Kick-Ass and Bullet Train star Aaron Taylor-Johnson was the leading candidate to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond after No Time to Die. However, the poor reception of his Sony-Marvel film Kraven the Hunter might have hurt his chances. Now, a surprising new favorite has entered the race… and he might just be perfect.

According to betting agency Coral, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald star Callum Turner’s odds have improved significantly, dropping from 4-1 to 2-1. Known for his roles in the Harry Potter spin-offs, Green Room, Assassin’s Creed, and the critically acclaimed series Masters of the Air, Turner matches the vision 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have described for years.

Turner not only possesses the looks and acting talent to embody Bond, but his lower profile could also make him an ideal candidate. Recently, Turner has made headlines for his engagement to Grammy-winning musician Dua Lipa, which has boosted his visibility.

Who Else is in the Running for 007?

Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the frontrunner at 4-5, with James Norton of Happy Valley at 7-2, Gladiator 2 lead Paul Mescal at 6-1, Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page and Black Mirror actor Damson Idris at 8-1, and The Gentlemen actor Theo James rounding out the list at 9-1.

Despite the speculation, fans may have to wait a while to learn who will carry the 007 mantle. A Wall Street Journal report suggests tensions are brewing between producer Barbara Broccoli and Amazon, which purchased MGM for $8.5 billion in 2022.

The report claims Amazon aims to expand James Bond into a franchise akin to the MCU or Star Wars, with spin-off films and series for its Prime Video streaming platform. However, Broccoli has pushed back against these plans, reportedly calling Amazon’s strategy a “death sentence” for the franchise.

Insiders note that Broccoli views James Bond as a “prized family legacy” and acts as a “guardian lioness” for the stunts, explosions, and the franchise’s overall direction. As such, while fans may be excited about Callum Turner stepping into Bond’s shoes, it could be some time before the next 007 is officially announced.

Source: MovieWeb