The race to become the next James Bond appears to be heating up, with a new frontrunner reportedly so confident he has already started celebrating. According to fresh rumours, actor Callum Turner has been telling his inner circle that the iconic role of 007 is now his.
The 'Worst-Kept Secret' in Town
A source told The Daily Mail that the 35-year-old star of 'The Eternity' has been 'blabbing all over town' about his casting. 'Callum is the new Bond, it’s been confirmed. Everyone in his circle is talking about it. It’s the worst-kept secret going,' the insider claimed. Turner is said to be battling for the part against other speculated contenders like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton.
The news has apparently delighted his popstar girlfriend, Dua Lipa. The source added that she is 'over the moon' for Turner and has expressed a strong interest in recording the next Bond theme song. This would place her among legendary artists like Adele, Sam Smith, and Billie Eilish who have contributed to the franchise's soundtrack. Dua Lipa is no stranger to film music, having written 'Swan Song' for 2019's 'Alita: Battle Angel'.
A New Era for the Bond Franchise
The casting speculation comes during a period of significant change for the James Bond series. Earlier in 2026, it was announced that Amazon MGM Studios had gained full creative control, with long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping down. While the studio and director Denis Villeneuve have remained quiet on plans, previous reports suggest the search is for a male, British actor who is relatively unknown to global audiences.
This aligns with comments made by former producer Broccoli in 2020, who stated that while James Bond 'can be of any colour, he is male,' dismissing the idea of a female 007. The role was last held by Daniel Craig, whose tenure concluded with 'No Time to Die' in 2021.
Betting Markets Back Turner
The rumour mill has had a direct impact on the bookmakers. Callum Turner is currently the odds-on favourite with Paddy Power at 5/6, having recently moved ahead of competitors. A spokesperson for the bookmaker told Metro: 'We’ve been waiting years for any white smoke to emerge from M’s office... but now we have a clear favourite. Callum Turner might be wise to get himself measured up with a top-quality tailor for that famous 007 tux!'
The history of actors who have officially played James Bond includes:
- Sean Connery (1962-1967, 1971, 1983)
- David Niven (1967)
- George Lazenby (1969)
- Roger Moore (1973-1985)
- Timothy Dalton (1987-1989)
- Pierce Brosnan (1995-2002)
- Daniel Craig (2006-2021)
Fans will be eagerly awaiting an official announcement to see if Callum Turner's reported confidence is well-founded and if he will become the eighth actor to utter the famous line, 'Bond, James Bond.'
