Next James Bond Movie Timeline Doesn't Require an Origin Story

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Will the next James Bond movie go all the way back to the beginning? Could we, once again, as in 2006's Casino Royaleget a movei that depicts 007 becoming himself? Not so fast. The recent rumored casting of three actors under the age of 30 has led to this so-called"Young Bond" origin story movie, which, in theory, would be the next film directed by Denis Villeneuve. But there's a somewhat obvious and crucial detail getting left out here. The production timeline of the next James Bond movie means all of these actors won't be under 30 when the movie finally comes out.

Recently, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, andTom Holland wereall named as possible James Bond successors, according to Variety. This has led to the question of whether or not theVilleneuve movie would now tell an origin story. While that's very possible, and there's plenty of material to draw from (the Young Bondnovels as well as the prequel book Forever and a Day), there's no real reason why casting someone who is 28 in 2025 means that this person will be perceived as a 20-something forever.

BecauseVilleneuve has Dune 3on his plate before Bond 26, most experts agree that the earliest the the next 007 movie could hit theaters is 2028. Jacob Elordi will be 31 in 2028, one year younger than Sean Connery was in 1962 when Dr. Nohit theaters. So, let that sick in: All the 20-something rumored Bond hopefuls will be around the age Connery was when he first started the role. The, ask yourself, was Dr. Noan origin story? It was not.

Related: Exclusive: 'Casino Royale' Director Predicts Next James Bond Release Window

Interestingly, all of this aligns with what James Bond directing legend, Martin Campbell toldMen's Journalearlier this year.

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"They're going to have to cast someone young-ish because he has to go to five movies," Campbell said in February 2025. And this makes perfect sense. If Elordi orDickinsonbecome James Bond tomorrow, we have to think about not just this one-and-done Villeneuve movie looks like in 2028, but also, their fourth or fifth Bond movie in the 2030s.

Related: After 6 Decades, the James Bond Franchise Just Lost What Made It Special

Next James Bond Movie Timeline Doesn't Require an Origin Story first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 30, 2025