A shock contender has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to play the villain in the highly-anticipated next instalment of James Bond.
Film-lovers have been patiently waiting to find out when the new 007 movie will be released since Daniel Craig finished his five film stint as the British spy with No Time To Die.
The 2021 movie was the last spearheaded by Bond producer of 30 years Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael G. Wilson after Amazon took over ‘creative control’ of the much-loved franchise.
The company are said to be fast-tracking the new film, with Hollywood producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal hired to bring in the new era of Bond.
Despite no official announcements being made, speculation about the potential cast for the next movie has been heating up in recent weeks.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail’s new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
British actor Craig, 57, enjoyed a five movie stint as the spy beginning with Casino Royale and ending with No Time To Die (Pictured in Skyfall) but a new cast is now being found
Cillian Murphy, 49, has emerged as the shock bookies’ favourite to be cast as the villain in the next Bond Movie (Pictured February 2025)
British fan favourites Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Henry Cavill have been linked to the role, while The White Lotus actor Theo James emerged as the latest bookies’ favourite last month.
Now, betting companies have released their odds for the next villain – with one unexpected household name topping the list.
The favourite is none other than Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, 49, who sits at the top of OLBG’s odds at 9/2.
The Irish actor – best known for playing Thomas Shelby – had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation, telling Deadline: ‘I think I’m a bit old for that.’
Also in the running for the part are American actor Paul Giamatti (11/2), The Boogeyman star David Dastmalchian (13/2), and unlikely contender Zendaya (7/1).
Despite ‘usually playing the good guy’ in her previous roles, the female actress told Elle in 2023 that she’s ready to enter her villainous era.
‘I would love to play a villain of sorts,’ the 28-year-old said.
‘Tap into the evil, supervillain vibes. Whatever that manifests in, I don’t think necessarily in a superhero sense, I just mean in like an emotional sense.
The Irish actor – who plays lead character Thomas Shelby in the Netflix series – had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation telling Deadline: ‘I think I’m a bit old for that’
Paul Giamatti, 58, is the second favourite for the part having featured in The Ides of March (Pictured May 2025)
American actor David Dastmalchian, 49, is also in the running for the part after impressing in The Dark Knight (Pictured June 2025)
While Zendaya, 28, has too emerged as a shock contender after expressing her want to be a villain during an interview (Pictured May 2025)
‘I feel like I usually play the good guy, so I’d like to play the bad guy.’
Cillian Murphy remains the strong favourite for the role, with Betting Expert Jake Ashton backing the Irish star too.
‘The villain role in the Bond movies is just as iconic as Bond himself,’ he said.
‘With Cillian Murphy at the height of his powers and trusted by major directors, he’s a natural favourite.’
No Time To Die saw Oscar winner Rami Malek star as its lead antagonist Lyutsifer Safin, a terrorist chief and scientist driven by a desire to dismantle the criminal group SPECTRE.
Before him A-lister Christoph Waltz starred as the villain in Spectre and Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as ‘up there with the great’ Bond baddies.
After Daniel Craig’s James Bond died at the end of No Time To Die, speculation has been rife as to how the next film will begin.
As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for the new Bond to be a ‘straight up’ reboot.
There have been a host of iconic Bond villains over the years, including Jaws played by Richard Kiel in the 1970s
Rami Malik, 44, starred as the villain in the 2021 movie No Time To Die
Before him, A-lister Christoph Waltz, 68, starred as the villain in Spectre
Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as ‘up there with the great’ Bond baddies
There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.
Barbara Broccoli’s choice for Bond was thought to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was once favourite for the role, but Heyman and Pascal are likely to want to choose their own 007.
Theo James currently sits at favourite for the part at 3/1, ahead of Superman actor Cavill (3/1), Taylor-Johnson (7/2) and Jack Lowden (12/1) from Mary Queen of Scots.
Theo has impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen.
Theo had been one of the frontrunners for the role a couple of years ago but was bumped down odds lists after an interview in The Guardian in 2024.
He told the publication: ‘Everyone’s interested in playing Bond because it’s a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn’t be me.
‘I do think there are better people for that job. And honestly it would be terrifiyng… you’re opening Pandora’s Box.’
The current bookies’ favourite to become the next Bond is none other than The Divergent series star Theo James, 40
Superman actor Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list but has now been pipped by Theo
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered – with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: ‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.’
The source added that it doesn’t necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool – though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
MailOnline contacted Amazon for comment about the possibility of Liverpool being the setting for the next Bond.
