The race to become the next James Bond has narrowed to a three-way contest, with actors Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Jack Barton emerging as the leading favorites, according to bookmakers.
Casting for the next installment in the James Bond franchise is reportedly underway, intensifying speculation about who will inherit the iconic 007 mantle. Last week, Jack Barton entered the betting at 9/2 with William Hill, positioning him as the third favorite.
Callum Turner remains the frontrunner at 5/4, while Jack Lowden is currently priced at 7/4. "Jack Barton has certainly shaken up our next James Bond market, going straight in at 9/2 and immediately becoming third favourite for the role of the world's most famous secret agent," said Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill. "Callum Turner remains at the head of the betting at 5/4, but with Jack Lowden just behind at 7/4 and Barton now firmly in the mix, there's plenty of competition for the role."
Barton is now considered more than twice as likely to play Bond than Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who are both at 10/1. The rest of the field is listed at 12/1 or higher.
Adding complexity to Lowden's potential casting, reports indicate that streaming giants Apple and Amazon are in a dispute over his availability. Lowden stars as MI5 agent River Cartwright in Apple's series "Slow Horses," and sources suggest it would be impossible for him to portray both roles simultaneously. Apple is reportedly taking steps to retain the actor for future seasons of its espionage drama, while Amazon executives are said to favor him for the Bond role. "It is literally impossible for an actor to play two British spies almost simultaneously," an insider commented. "You can't have two franchises and two spies but just one face. Jack is very much in the conversation and there are people who think he would make a fantastic Bond. But the elephant in the room is Slow Horses. Amazon wants its Bond but Apple already has its spy."
Screen tests are rumored to be commencing soon, with Barton's name reportedly on the shortlist. He has previously appeared in the Netflix drama "Heartstopper" and the BBC series "SAS: Rogue Heroes." Casting directors are said to be backing Barton for the role.
Debbie McWilliams, who cast previous Bonds, has previously expressed a preference for a newcomer, stating in June that she did not want to see any of the rumored stars as Bond. "We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that's what spies are," she told The Independent. "We don't need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives. We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. He's licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don't, then you've lost the audience."
Other actors previously mentioned as contenders include Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, and Henry Cavill. Theo James has publicly ruled himself out, citing he is "too old" for the part.