Aaron Taylor-Johnson has surged in betting odds to play the next James Bond, following his red carpet appearance at the premiere of his new film Fuze. The 35-year-old actor, who attended the London premiere alongside co-stars Theo James and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, has seen his odds slashed from 7/1 to 5/1, making him the most backed candidate by Ladbrokes punters. Callum Turner remains the frontrunner at 5/4, while Jacob Elordi holds firm as the second favorite at 9/4.
The resurgence of Taylor-Johnson in the betting stakes comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of the James Bond franchise, which Amazon acquired in 2022. The streaming giant reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael Broccoli, the children of original James Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli, in March 2025. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is rumored to be worth upwards of $1 billion.
Taylor-Johnson's appearance at the Fuze premiere also sparked speculation about potential cosmetic procedures. Some fans took to social media to question whether the actor had undergone fillers or other cosmetic tweakments. However, board-certified dermatologist Shamsa Kanwal suggested the change in appearance was more likely due to grooming rather than surgical intervention.
The race to replace the next James Bond remains wide open, with several high-profile names consistently entering the conversation. Among those frequently mentioned alongside Taylor-Johnson and James are Callum Turner, known for roles in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Masters of the Air, and Jacob Elordi, who gained global attention through Euphoria and Saltburn. Each brings a distinct screen presence, adding to the intrigue surrounding the casting process.
Amazon's acquisition of the Bond franchise has also prompted speculation about where they might take the franchise next. The iconic spy has been adapted into video games since the 1980s, with early adaptations taking the form of shooting games.