The search for the next James Bond may be focusing on a much younger 007 than in previous films. According to a recent Variety report, industry rumors suggest the studio and producers want a British actor under the age of 30 for the upcoming movie reboot.
Among the names said to be on their radar are Jacob Elordi (Saltburn), Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home), and Harris Dickinson (Babygirl).
All three have had high-profile roles in recent years—especially Holland, who has made a name for himself as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—and fit the reported age and nationality criteria.
A Young James Bond Has Already Been Cast
While the new Bond remains unconfirmed, the character is already set to appear in another medium.
Patrick Gibson, star of the Paramount+ series Dexter: Original Sin (2024), has been revealed as Bond in the upcoming third-person video game, “007 First Light,” which is set for release sometime next year.
Gibson, 30, will also be portraying a young Bond in an origin story in which he's tasked with a mission that, when completed, will grant him his iconic 00 status.
Watch the trailer for the game below:
Related: ‘James Bond' Reboot “Race-Swaps” Iconic Character After 63 Years : Disney Fanatic
Who's Behind the James Bond Movie Reboot?
The new James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, whose credits include Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Dune (2021), and Dune: Part Two (2024), and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders).
This combination of filmmaker and screenwriter signals a creative shift for the long-running series, which last starred Daniel Craig in 2021’s No Time to Die, the actor's fifth and final outing following Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), and Spectre (2015).
If one of these rumors prove true, it would mark the youngest actor to play Bond in the character’s history. Previous Bonds, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, were all in their early 30s to mid-40s when they first took on the role, except for George Lazenby, who was 29 when he filmed On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).
How a Gen Z Bond Might Be Received by Fans
A Gen Z Bond could open the door to new storytelling possibilities, while potentially redefining the image of Britain’s most famous spy for a new generation of moviegoers.
British GQ recently published a piece discussing how a Gen Z Bond might appear in the film in terms of attire and style, something that has helped define the iconic MI6 agent in film over 60 years.
With all that said, a young Bond could alienate many longtime fans who've grown accustomed to seeing an older, grittier 007 defined by years of experience in the field. Some would likely describe such casting as “woke”, which is often attributed to Gen Z.
Another rumored casting is Aaron Pierre, which has already drawn criticism from fans online with the Rebel Ridge (2024) star being a person of color.
There's no release date for the new Bond film, however, according to the Variety article, Amazon MGM is eyeing a 2028 release.
How do you feel about a “Gen Z Bond”? Is under 30 too young? Share your thoughts with us!
