MOVIE NEWS – Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune and Blade Runner 2049, is officially steering Amazon’s highly anticipated James Bond reboot, but the big question remains: who’s the next 007? With the project heating up, a surprising new favorite has emerged—and he’s a real “king’s man.”

After rumors swirled about a divisive shortlist of potential Bonds, the latest odds now put Harris Dickinson—star of The King’s Man and Babygirl—at the front of the pack (5/2). The relative newcomer now edges out Amazon’s other picks, Tom Holland (of MCU fame) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria), bumping previous frontrunners Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jack Lowden down the bookies’ list. Both Holland and Elordi have also surged in the betting, while Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) and Damson Idris (F1) round out the current top five.

Harris Dickinson brings the kind of “almost-A-list” credibility that Bond producers love, earning critical praise for roles in Triangle of Sadness, Where the Crawdads Sing, Babygirl, and The Iron Claw, plus a heroic—if short-lived—turn as a secret agent in The King’s Man. He might have died early, but he certainly looked the part in action.

It’s not just the critics: Bond expert Mark O’Connell (author of Catching Bullets – Memoirs of a Bond Fan) is backing Dickinson, telling LBC that fans should “keep an eye on” the actor as a potential 007.

Denis Villeneuve Calls the New 007 a “Massive Responsibility”

Amazon is keeping most Bond reboot details under wraps, but it’s official: after considering Oscar-winner Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), Paul King (Paddington, Wonka), Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Hot Fuzz), and Jonathan Nolan (Westworld, Fallout), the studio has tapped Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Dune) to direct 007’s next mission.

Following the announcement, Villeneuve said he’s a lifelong Bond devotee: “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No, with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”

Source: MovieWeb