Denis Villeneuve Has a New Front-Runner for the Next James Bond

So, the Bond rumor mill just spun up again. The latest name flying to the top of the pile: Callum Turner. Yes, that Callum Turner. And the reason he suddenly surged? It is... not exactly ironclad, but stick with me.

The new frontrunner (for now)

The Telegraph says Turner is now the favorite among UK oddsmakers at William Hill to take over 007 from Daniel Craig. He has supposedly leapfrogged the usual suspects like Henry Cavill, Theo James, and Harris Dickinson. The timing lines up with Turner being spotted vacationing with his partner, Dua Lipa, at a resort in Oracabessa Bay — the place that sits on Ian Fleming's old estate. If that sounds tenuous, that is because it is. But it is the kind of thing that moves betting markets.

For context: Turner broke out in the Fantastic Beasts films — he played Theseus Scamander, Newt's older brother — and popped up recently in The Boys in the Boat. He also leads the upcoming 2025 film Eternity.

What we actually know about the next Bond movie

• Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct the next Bond film, and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) is writing the script.
• This would be the first Bond movie since Amazon took fuller control of the franchise setup. Per the reports, Amazon MGM Studios, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael G. Wilson have created a new joint venture to house the Bond IP.
• The three parties remain co-owners, but the reporting says Amazon MGM Studios now holds creative control — a big shift from the long era where Broccoli and Wilson steered the creative decisions.
• Both longtime producers are said to be stepping back a bit: Wilson focusing more on art and charitable work, Broccoli focusing on other projects.
• Beyond that, plot, tone, and start date are all still under wraps.

How seriously should we take this?

Let me be clear: this is a rumor, backed by betting odds and a conveniently timed vacation near Fleming's old stomping grounds. That does not mean Turner is not in the mix — he fits the profile (rising, mid-30s, British, not overexposed) — but the evidence being put forward is more vibes than verification.

If Villeneuve is indeed steering the next film and Knight is writing it, that signals a pretty muscular, grounded take. Turner could slide into that nicely. But until the producers and Amazon actually say a name out loud, treat this as what it is: a credible-sounding whisper with a beachfront photo op.