James Bond Casting Leak Points to Shocking Choice
The next James Bond is still a mystery, but Amazon's quietly moving things forward behind the scenes. With the Daniel Craig era officially over and a full reboot in motion, the studio is reportedly aiming for a younger, fresher 007—someone far removed from the brooding Bond we've had since Casino Royale.
So far, the usual suspects—Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James—have topped every fan-casting list. But a new name just got dropped into the mix, and it's turning heads for all the right reasons: Aaron Pierre.
According to longtime scooper Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK), Pierre is "being considered" for the role, with filming "tentatively" slated for 2026. No other details yet, but this lines up with earlier rumors that Amazon wants a clean break from the Craig years—new face, new tone, new everything.
Pierre, 31, recently exploded onto the scene in Netflix's Rebel Ridge—a brutal action thriller that surprised everyone with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Between his physicality, screen presence, and actual acting chops, fans were quick to point out he has all the raw ingredients to make a killer Bond. Even Pierce Brosnan, his MobLand co-star, gave him the nod, calling him a "wonderful" choice for 007.
The catch? Pierre's schedule might be just as action-packed as Bond himself. He's suiting up as Green Lantern John Stewart in HBO's upcoming DC series Lanterns—opposite Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. With the DCU looking to position Stewart as the lead Lantern going forward, that's a serious time commitment for Pierre.
But if Amazon's playing the long game—and they are, with Bond not expected until 2026 at the earliest—Pierre could still be in the running.
Other names reportedly being floated for a younger, more energetic reboot include Spider-Man's Tom Holland, White Lotus breakout Leo Woodall, SAS: Rogue Heroes star Connor Swindells, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin from The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Even Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame has been thrown into the rumor blender.
As for tone, the whispers suggest Amazon wants to bring back some of the fun—gadgets, quips, maybe even a vodka martini that doesn't come with emotional baggage. That means a definite pivot away from Craig's haunted assassin toward something closer to Goldfinger-era Bond, with a Gen Z twist.