Hollywood Star Margot Robbie Emerges as Unexpected Frontrunner for James Bond Villain Role
As intense speculation continues to swirl around who will inherit the iconic role of James Bond from Daniel Craig, attention has now shifted to another crucial character in the legendary franchise – the villain. While Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the favourite to become the next 007, with contenders like Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, and Henry Cavill also in serious contention, a surprising development has emerged regarding Bond's next adversary.
Breaking Tradition with Female Antagonists
In what could represent a significant departure from established Bond formula, Australian actress Margot Robbie has emerged as the 13/8 favourite to portray the next villain opposing the suave British spy. This development follows years of high-profile male antagonists dominating the franchise, including memorable performances from Christopher Walken in A View to a Kill, Sean Bean in GoldenEye, Andrew Scott in Spectre, and Rami Malek in No Time to Die.
The 35-year-old actress, renowned for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Barbie, and the forthcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation, brings substantial blockbuster experience to the potential role. According to entertainment expert James Leyfield of Gambling.com, Robbie could follow in the footsteps of groundbreaking female characters like Eva Green's Vesper Lynd and Rosamund Pike's Miranda Frost while potentially revolutionising the villain archetype.
Strong Competition in the Villain Race
Robbie faces significant competition for the coveted antagonist role. Irish actress Jessie Buckley, fresh from winning best actress awards at this year's Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, stands at 15/8 odds to become the next female Bond villain. The 36-year-old star, considered a near certainty for Oscar recognition, sits just ahead of national treasure Olivia Colman, who holds 2/1 odds at 52 years old.
On the male side, veteran actor Stellan Skarsgård has become the 5/4 favourite following his 2026 awards success for Sentimental Value, which earned him a Golden Globe and strong Oscar prospects for best supporting actor. The 74-year-old Swedish performer has seen his odds improve from 3/1, positioning him ahead of Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, who stands at 11/8 odds despite being just 28 years old.
Additional Contenders and Industry Developments
The potential villain pool extends beyond the frontrunners, with several established actors reportedly in consideration. These include Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy (49), acclaimed film veteran Willem Dafoe (70), The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal (50), and decorated performer John Malkovich (72).
Industry insiders suggest production on the next Bond instalment could commence relatively soon. According to Deadline film reporter Justin Kroll, cameras might start rolling within months, with summer appearing the most likely timeframe based on current industry conversations. Kroll noted that while production could begin sooner, mid-year appears more probable than the first quarter.
Creative Team and Franchise Direction
The Bond franchise continues to evolve under new stewardship while maintaining creative continuity. Following Amazon MGM Studios' acquisition of the franchise in 2022, long-serving producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson confirmed they would retain creative control through their production company Eon. Last June brought the significant announcement that acclaimed Dune director Denis Villeneuve would helm the next Bond film.
The Canadian filmmaker expressed profound respect for the franchise, describing Bond as "sacred territory" and vowing to "honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come." Villeneuve called the assignment both a "massive responsibility" and "a huge honour," reflecting his lifelong appreciation for the series that began with childhood viewings of Sean Connery's Dr. No with his father.
While plot details remain closely guarded, the screenplay will come from Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness. Knight described the opportunity as a bucket-list achievement, expressing enthusiasm about tackling what represents arguably his most significant project to date. With these creative elements falling into place, Bond enthusiasts can anticipate the next chapter in this enduring cinematic legacy while awaiting official casting announcements for both the iconic spy and his formidable adversary.
