An announcement about the next actor to portray James Bond could be made by the end of 2026, according to Amy Pascal, one of the producers for the upcoming film. When asked by Deadline whether news on the next Bond might arrive by the year's end, Ms Pascal replied, "I would say the end of the year is a good bet."
Amazon MGM Studios, which controls the Bond franchise, confirmed in May that the casting process was underway. However, little specific detail was provided at the time, with a statement noting, "While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."
Speculation about Daniel Craig's successor has intensified recently. Entertainment writer Daniel Richtman reportedly stated on social media that the casting is in its final round, with journalist Jeff Sneider also hearing similar rumours. Global James Bond Day, on 5 October, marks the 64th anniversary of the first film's release and is considered a possible date for an announcement.
The next film is being written by Steven Knight and will be directed by Denis Villeneuve. It has been widely reported that the film is likely to be released in 2028, which would mark the longest gap between Bond films.