James Bond Fans Will Have to Wait Until 2028 for the Next Film
James Bond fans are in for a long wait as production on the next instalment of the iconic franchise is set to take a ‘long break’. The delay has sparked speculation about who will take on the role of 007, with several names being considered. This comes after Daniel Craig handed in his license to kill following the release of No Time to Die in September 2021.
Speculation Over the Next Bond Actor
Since then, there have been very few updates, leaving fans eager for more information. Names like Callum Turner, 36, and Harris Dickinson, 29, have remained frontrunners for the role. However, there’s also talk of a potential youngest-ever Bond: 22-year-old Louis Partridge. Age could be a key factor in the decision, but an insider has revealed that the film won’t be released until at least 2028, marking a historic seven-year gap between films.
‘Bond won’t be back until 2028,’ a source told The Sun. ‘The production mindset’s gone from “Let’s hurry this through” to “Make sure we get this right.”’
New Creative Owners Want to Take Things Slow
Fans may be relieved to hear that the new creative owners, Amazon MGM Studios, want to take things slow rather than rush out spin-offs and sequels. Part of this delay is due to the involvement of Dune director Denis Villeneuve, who has other commitments. He wants a long break after Dune 3, which is not expected in cinemas until December 18, 2026.
‘Denis wanted a long break after Dune 3 and has some broad ideas on the script. Steven will get on with drafts, before they map out the final version. That’ll take at least the whole summer,’ the source shared.
The insider added: ‘Realistically, if they can make January 2027 work for pre-production, then that will be a success.’
Production Timeline and Casting
Mark Wooldridge, president of the 007GB fan club, noted that such a lengthy timeline isn’t unusual for a production of this scale. He explained that pre-production can take anywhere from three to seven months or even over three years, depending on the project. This phase involves scouting locations, hiring crew, planning the filming schedule, and starting the casting process.
After pre-production comes several months of filming, followed by almost a year of post-production, which includes editing, adding visual effects, and colour grading. With the script still not ready, it’s no surprise that the next Bond film could still be a long way off.
Favourites for the Role
Here are the current odds for the next Bond actor:
- Callum Turner — 4/5
- Harris Dickinson — 7/4
- Jacob Elordi — 5/1
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson — 6/1
- Theo James — 10/1
- Henry Cavill — 16/1
- Jack O’Connell – 16/1
- James Nelson-Joyce – 16/1
Favourites have remained steady, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson first mentioned over three years ago. Mark noted that much of the discussion around the role is driven by media and fan speculation rather than formal decisions.
Age Isn’t the Only Factor
Age alone has never been a defining factor in Bond casting. Roger Moore was in his mid-40s when he first took on the role in Live And Let Die, and Pierce Brosnan was in his early 40s when he debuted in GoldenEye. Both went on to define the character for their respective generations.
Coventry University’s assistant professor for media and film production, Iain Bruce, agrees. He thinks fans should focus on the actors’ announced projects rather than their age. He said:
‘Delays to the next Bond film will undoubtedly leave fans of the franchise stirred, but hopefully not too shaken. The reported delay to filming shouldn’t affect any of the main frontrunners ability to fit the conventional playing age of Bond. Both Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are both in their mid-thirties now, so even if production on the next Bond does get pushed back to 2028, both actors would still be the prime age to don Bond’s tuxedo.’
The Youngest Bond Ever
Daniel Craig was 38 when he first appeared in Casino Royale, but the youngest ever 007 was George Lazenby, who was only 29 at the time of shooting On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.
Bruce added: ‘The only issue which might affect the casting of Bond is the actor’s contractual arrangements; if either has already signed on to begin filming other productions in 2027/2028, then that might prove legally tricky, juggling scheduling.’
Final Thoughts
The fan club isn’t getting swept up in the rumours, with Mark advising: ‘Until there is official confirmation from the studios involved, any names being mentioned should be treated as speculation rather than indication.’
