Denis Villeneuve is reportedly looking for an unknown actor to play James Bond, according to industry sources. The Dune director is said to prefer a fresh face over the high-profile names previously linked to the role, including Bullet Train star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been considered the favourite, as well as Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson and Jacob Elordi.
Deadline reports that Villeneuve will begin the search next year after completing production on Dune: Part Three. The criteria for the next 007 are said to include being male, born in the British Isles, and likely in his late 20s or early 30s.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has been recruited to write the film's script. Knight is known for his work on the Birmingham-set gangster series as well as films such as Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke. His most recent screenplay was Maria, the biopic of opera singer Maria Callas, starring Angelina Jolie.
This will be the first Bond film since Amazon MGM took full creative control after striking a deal with long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. When his appointment as director was announced, Villeneuve said: “Some of my earliest moviegoing memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.”
Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman added: “Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too.” Meanwhile, Kingsman star Taron Egerton has ruled himself out of contention, saying the opportunity would be “wasted” on him. He told Collider: “I think I’m too messy for that. I think I’m not [the right fit] – I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig’s tenure. But I think I wouldn’t be good at it.”
