Six actors in final Bond race, Barton favored

Jackie Barton has emerged as the main candidate for the role of James Bond.

Consensus

• Six actors are finalists in the casting process for the next James Bond film.
• The film is being directed by Denis Villeneuve.
• The film is expected to be released in 2028.
• The casting process includes auditions in early September.
• Amazon MGM is the production entity under which the film will be released.
• The creative control of the franchise was transferred to Amazon MGM as part of a 2025 deal.
• Jack Barton is considered the favorite among the six finalists.

Points of divergence

• The deal between Wilson, Broccoli, and Amazon MGM for creative control was worth $20 million, not $1 billion as previously reported. — kommersant
• The tone of the upcoming Bond film will be darker and more grounded, with emphasis on the psychological toll of the agent’s work. — vm
• The tradition of casting a relatively unknown actor for the role of Bond is being followed, which supports Jack Barton as a likely choice. — kommersant
• Producer Amy Pascal suggested the announcement of the new Bond might not come until the end of 2026. — vm

Coverage (2 sources)

• Search for actor for role of James Bond narrowed down to six candidates — Коммерсантъ
• Actor Jack Barton became the main candidate for the role of James Bond — Вечерняя Москва

Key entities

• James Bond
• Jack Barton
• Jacob Elordi
• Media
• Page Six
• 007

More on James Bond

• Actor Tom Chadbon from 'Game of Thrones' and 'Doctor Who' has died