The newly appointed executives at the James Bond production studio have sought to reassure fans regarding the casting of the iconic British spy in the upcoming film.
During a presentation at the CinemaCon event in the United States on Wednesday, leaders from Amazon MGM studios—who acquired the franchise rights through an $8.45 billion (£6.9 billion) deal in 2022—shared that they are proceeding with caution, which is why the role has not yet been filled.
Courtenay Valenti, the head of film at Amazon MGM, addressed the audience by stating, “I know there’s a lot of curiosity about when we will reveal the next James Bond. Please temper your excitement. We are taking the necessary time to approach this with great care and respect. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to present this next chapter to audiences, and we understand the weight of this responsibility.”
Valenti went on to emphasize, “What I can share is that when you combine one of the most cherished franchises in cinema with an exceptional team of filmmakers—including the talented director Denis Villeneuve, outstanding producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, executive producer Tanya Lapointe, and screenwriter Steven Knight—you are creating a foundation for a film that truly honors the Bond legacy.”
She concluded by stating, “The film is in the works, and when the moment is right, we will provide more details.”
Speculation regarding the casting has intensified given the time elapsed since the announcements of Villeneuve as the director in June 2025 and Knight as the screenwriter in August 2025. The film is anticipated to be released in 2028, suggesting that filming could commence in late 2026.
Among the actors rumored to be in consideration for the role are Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jacob Elordi. If Elordi is selected, he would make history as the youngest and tallest actor to portray Bond, as well as the second Australian to take on the role.
Despite his recent acclaim for his Oscar-nominated performance in Frankenstein and his notable role in Wuthering Heights, Elordi’s upcoming schedule seems relatively open.
