Two New Rules Just Took Henry Cavill and Timothée Chalamet Out of the James Bond Race

If you had Henry Cavill or Timothee Chalamet in your Bond pool, you can go ahead and recycle that bracket. A new report just redrew the 007 map, and it points in a pretty specific direction.

What the new report is actually saying

• Amazon-owned MGM has reportedly locked the creative core for Bond 26: Denis Villeneuve directing from a screenplay by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
• Timeline: aiming to start production in 2027, with release targeted for 2027 or 2028. Villeneuve is expected to begin casting in 2026 after he wraps his third Dune movie.
• Casting brief: the next Bond will be male, a British actor, and a 'fresh face' in his late 20s or early 30s. The door is open to a non-Caucasian lead.

That immediately knocks out the usual fantasy-casting favorites: Cavill, Chalamet, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Jacob Elordi, etc. The report frames this as two firm rules, but if you are counting at home, it is effectively three filters: age, nationality, and profile level.

So who fits that brief? David Jonsson makes a lot of sense

If 'fresh face' means not overexposed but already proven, David Jonsson lines up cleanly with what they are after. He is 32, London-born, RADA-trained, and has been quietly stacking strong work without becoming tabloid fodder. Recent credits include Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, and he keeps earning praise for the kind of focused, disciplined performances this role eats for breakfast.

The report also says Bond stays male but does not lock the character to being white, which makes Jonsson a very plausible, forward-looking choice. It would be a clear nod to a modern Britain, and just as important, a practical one: a younger lead with fewer scheduling conflicts lets Amazon MGM potentially lock in a Bond who can carry the franchise for years, maybe decades, assuming everyone is ready for the grind that comes with the tux.

Meanwhile: Bond movies are jumping to Netflix for a minute

In a move that will make rival-streamer bingo cards very happy, Amazon MGM is parking a few Bond titles on Netflix for a limited run. Starting January 15, Netflix subscribers in the U.S., German-speaking regions, France, Latin America, and other territories will get a three-month window with No Time to Die, Die Another Day, Quantum of Solace, and Skyfall.

It is unusual on the surface—Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are direct competitors—but it fits Amazon MGM’s broader licensing play to keep Bond constantly in circulation. Chris Ottinger, who runs worldwide distribution at Amazon MGM Studios, put it like this:

'When Amazon acquired MGM, Amazon's plan was to continue licensing MGM's iconic library to streaming and television partners around the world. Bringing these iconic films and shows to Netflix is part of that continued strategy. James Bond remains one of the most enduring and influential franchises in cinematic history, and alongside other beloved titles in our library like Hunters among other series, this agreement reflects the continued global appetite for premium storytelling and the strong working relationship we've built with Netflix.'

Normally, Bond films rotate through Prime Video around the Bond Day hoopla in October, then show up on MGM+ through December. This Netflix detour fills the gap and keeps the brand warm while we wait to see what Villeneuve cooks up for Bond 26.

Bottom line

If this report holds, Bond 26 is a clean reboot with a younger, British, not-already-everywhere lead, and casting does not kick off until 2026. David Jonsson checks a lot of boxes, but MGM could just as easily pluck a near-unknown if they really commit to 'fresh face'.

Who do you want in the tux under those rules? Drop your picks. I will be over here trying to figure out how a 2027 production turns into a 2027 or 2028 release without giving post-production hives.