The highly sought-after role of James Bond is a three-horse race according to one bookmaker, who predict it will be Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Jack Barton.
The three actors have all been hotly tipped to be named the new 007 after casting got underway for the next film in the iconic action franchise.
Last week it was Barton’s name added to the mix as speculation about which actor will be offered the coveted one role continues to grow.
According to bookmakers William Hill, Barton bet to become the next Bond at 9/2 and became third favorite to replace Daniel Craig.
Turner remains the market leader, although it has dropped to 5/4, while Lowden is now available at 7/4.
Company spokesperson Lee Phelps said: ‘Jack Barton has certainly shaken up our next James Bond market, going straight to 9/2 and immediately becoming the third favorite for the role of the world’s most famous secret agent.
The highly sought-after role of James Bond is currently a three-horse race according to one bookmaker, who predicts it will be between Callum Turner (pictured on the set of Possession), Jack Lowden and Jack Barton.
The three actors have all been hotly tipped to be named the new 007 after casting got underway for the next film in the iconic action franchise (Jack Lowden right)
‘Callum Turner remains at the top of the betting at 5/4, but with Jack Lowden just behind at 7/4 and Barton now firmly in the mix, there is plenty of competition for the role.
‘At 9/2, Barton is now thought to be more than twice as likely to become the next Bond than the likes of Henry Cavill and former favorite Aaron Taylor-Johnson, both of whom are out at 10/1.’
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has lowered the stakes even further and is now priced at 10/1. Henry Cavill is also available at 10/1, while the rest of the field is currently 12/1 or above.
Last week it was reported that two of the biggest are streaming giants Apple and Amazon are at war over Lowden appearing on their screens.
Sources say it is impossible for the Essex-born actor, 36, who plays MI5 agent River Cartwright in Apple series Slow Horses, to also play Bond.
This has led to a fierce rearguard action from Apple to keep it for the next showing.
But Lowden is highly regarded by Amazon bosses who are selecting the new friendly spy.
An insider told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It is literally impossible for an actor to play two British spies almost at the same time. You can’t have two franchises and two spies, but only 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.
Jack Barton (pictured) was introduced last week as a potential new protagonist and is among the three current favorites (pictured in SAS: Rogue Heroes)
Daniel Craig quit the role after the last film No Time To Die
“There are some huge egos at Apple and Amazon and they don’t like to lose to each other, so the battle is on.”
Lowden, who is married to actress Saoirse Ronan, plays the ambitious Cartwright opposite Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb in Apple’s hit spy drama. Based on the books by Mick Herron, future series would almost certainly clash with the new Bond film.
It was reported by Page Six that screen tests will begin in the coming days, with Barton’s name apparently on the shortlist.
To date, he has most notably appeared in the Netflix teen drama Heartstopper and the BBC’s SAS: Rogue Heroes in 2025, as well as in a selection of small roles. Casting directors are said to be backing Barton for the role.
Debbie McWilliams, who chose previous Bonds Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for the role, previously said a newcomer should be cast.
She told the Independent in June: “I don’t want to see any of it [the rumoured stars] as Bond because we know so much about them now.
‘We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because they are spies. We don’t need to know where he goes shopping, who his parents are, or where he lives.
‘We never want to see him at home. And an essential part of the whole is his job description. He has the power to kill, and we must believe that he can. If you don’t do that, you’ll lose the audience.’
Other current favorites include Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi and Henry Cavill.
Theo James recently ruled himself out of the role, insisting he is ‘too old’ to play the secret agent.
