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Villeneuve’s Bond Reboot to Seek Unknown British 007 as James Norton Rules Himself Out

Villeneuve will begin casting after finishing Dune: Part Three, with reports indicating a preference for an unknown British lead in his late twenties or early thirties.

Overview

  • Industry reports say the new creative brief calls for a British male “fresh face,” likely an unknown in his late 20s to early 30s, rather than established stars.
  • Deadline’s reporting indicates formal casting will not start until Denis Villeneuve wraps production on Dune: Part Three, and insiders stress the process has not begun.
  • James Norton, 40, publicly removed himself from consideration, saying he is too old and that no conversations are underway, echoing the shift toward a younger lead.
  • The reported profile effectively rules out American actors and many frequently rumored older candidates, with one insider saying most circulating names won’t make the cut.
  • Steven Knight is writing the next film and Amazon MGM Studios holds creative control, with multiple outlets reporting a tentative 2027 shoot and a 2028 release window.