Lowden Leads the 007 Betting
With the last screen tests for the next James Bond expected to begin today, bookmakers have published odds on who will take over as 007, who will play the Bond girl and who will record the theme song. The Hollywood Reporter reported on Thursday that Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Jack O'Connell are the three finalists due to test for the role. Whether Amazon MGM, the producers and director Denis Villeneuve have already settled on a choice is not known.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
Oddschecker, a British platform that compares prices from established bookmakers, has Lowden, a star of Slow Horses, as the frontrunner at 8/13, which implies a 62 percent chance. Turner, known for Masters of the Air, sits at 25 percent. Josh O'Connor of Disclosure Day follows at 13 percent, with Richard Madden at 11 percent, Jacob Elordi at 7 percent and O'Connell at 8 percent.[S1]
Qualley Tops the Bond Girl Market
For the female lead, BetOnline gives Margaret Qualley, who appeared in The Substance, a 33 percent implied chance. Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria and Anya Taylor-Joy of Furiosa are level at 25 percent. Florence Pugh stands at 17 percent, Zendaya at 13 percent, Lauren Sánchez at 5 percent and Kate Winslet at 4 percent. Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson and several other actresses are listed at roughly 3 percent.[S1]
Because Bond films usually include more than one significant female character for the agent to partner with or flirt with, it is possible that several actresses on the oddsmakers' list could end up in the film. The article also notes that the prediction market Kalshi has Lowden first for Bond at 64 percent, ahead of Turner at 28 percent, O'Connor at 19 percent, Idris Elba at 9 percent, Barton at 8 percent and Robert Pattinson at 7 percent.[S1]
Theme Song and Production Team
In the betting on who will write and perform the next Bond theme, Raye leads with a 50 percent implied chance. Olivia Dean, Dua Lipa, Sienna Spiro, Lana Del Rey, Oasis and Lady Gaga are also listed. Villeneuve is directing the next Bond film, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing for Amazon MGM Studios.[S1]
