I break betting odds news as it happens, so you’re never left behind when the market moves or a top offer lands.
- Callum Turner remains the 6/5 favourite with Ladbrokes to be the next James Bond, despite journalist Marina Hyde revealing on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast this week that Jacob Elordi has "moved into pole position"
- Elordi, who is reported to have screen-tested for director Denis Villeneuve, is available at 5/1, with Harris Dickinson second in the Ladbrokes market at 3/1
- Despite months of feverish speculation, a top talent agent told The Wrap in February that "anything you hear on the Bond casting front is bulls**t until the script is delivered and the screen tests can happen"
The Bond Casting Saga Takes Another Turn
The search for the next James Bond has been one of Hollywood's most compelling slow-burn stories of 2026, and this week it took another significant twist.
Betting sites have been tracking every rumour and industry whisper with forensic attention, and Ladbrokes remain among the leading bookies with the market priced up in full.
For everything you need to know about the race to become 007, visit our dedicated next James Bond betting odds page, and for the full range of Bond 26 specials, the best entertainment betting sites have every market covered.
The latest development comes from Marina Hyde, The Guardian journalist and co-host of the hugely popular The Rest Is Entertainment podcast alongside Richard Osman.
Speaking this week, Hyde revealed that multiple industry sources have told her that Jacob Elordi has "moved into pole position" for the Bond role.
Crucially, however, Hyde also noted that "nobody has signed anything yet", an observation that keeps the door firmly open for Callum Turner, who remains the Ladbrokes market leader at 6/5.
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Callum Turner: Still the Favourite But the Ground Is Shifting
Callum Turner's position at the top of the Bond odds market has been one of the most consistent features of the entire 2026 casting conversation.
The 35-year-old British actor, who grew up on a London council estate and began his career as a model before breaking through on screen, first surged to the top of the bookmakers' market in November 2025, when a sudden overnight movement in the odds prompted widespread speculation that insider information had reached the market.
Reports in the Daily Mail, quickly picked up by Esquire, The Times and The Independent, claimed Turner was effectively a done deal, a claim he has neither confirmed nor denied publicly.
The Turner story carries an irresistible subplot. His fiancée is Dua Lipa is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, and reports have circulated that she could record the Bond 26 theme song should Turner be confirmed as 007.
Next James Bond Odds
| Actor | Nationality | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callum Turner | British | 6/5 | 45.5% |
| Harris Dickinson | British | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Jacob Elordi | Australian | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Jack O'Connell | British | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Aaron Taylor-Johnson | British | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Theo James | British | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Elordi, Dickinson and the Rest of the Field
Jacob Elordi at 5/1 is where the real intrigue lies this week. The 28-year-old Australian, best known for his role as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria and his recent acclaimed performance in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, has been one of the most consistently linked names to Bond 26 since Amazon MGM took over the creative rights to the franchise.
Reports emerged earlier this year that Elordi had met and screen-tested for Villeneuve, a significant step that no other candidate has been publicly confirmed to have taken.
Should he be cast, Elordi would become the second Australian to play Bond after George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the tallest 007 in the franchise's history at 6'5", and the youngest actor to take on the role, aligning neatly with Amazon's reported desire for a younger lead who can anchor the franchise for a generation.
Harris Dickinson sits second in the market at 3/1, a price that has remained remarkably stable throughout the months of Turner and Elordi speculation.
The Triangle of Sadness and The Iron Claw star has been consistently mentioned by industry insiders as a serious candidate, and his combination of critical credibility, physical presence and relative youth makes him a compelling choice if the two frontrunners ultimately fall away.
Jack O'Connell at 8/1 represents genuine British acting pedigree, and his work in Unbroken and '71 demonstrated a raw intensity that would translate powerfully to the Bond universe.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson at 9/1 has been a perennial name in this market since Craig's departure was confirmed, while Theo James rounds out the field at 12/1.
What the expert says...
Where To Bet on the Next James Bond
Ladbrokes are one of the most trusted UK betting sites for entertainment casting markets, with the full Next James Bond market available and competitive odds across the field.
New customers may find free bets available to get started, so always check the latest promotions before placing bets.
For a full history of the Bond casting odds and expert insight, visit our dedicated next James Bond betting odds page.
18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply.
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