What's Inside?
- Glen Powell firmly rejects James Bond rumors, stressing his Texan roots make him unfit, insisting the iconic role belongs authentically British.
- Rising British actor Scott Rose-Marsh reportedly screen-tested for James Bond, challenging assumptions that Amazon MGM Studios seeks a much younger reboot.
- While fans speculate on Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and others, Denis Villeneuve prepares Bond 26, promising to treat franchise as sacred territory.
For years, speculation around who will inherit the tuxedo of cinema’s most enduring spy has dominated film conversations. Yet while Hollywood fans continue to play the guessing game, Glen Powell, the rising star of Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man, and Anyone But You, is not among those lining up for the iconic role. In fact, Powell does not believe James Bond belongs to him, nor to any American actor.
Glen Powell Rules Himself Out of the James Bond Race
The buzz began after industry chatter floated Glen Powell’s name as a bold, left-field choice for the next Agent 007. But the 36-year-old Texan has little patience for the idea. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Powell dismissed the speculation with refreshing honesty. “I’m Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond,” Powell said.
“My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo.”
It is not just self-deprecation. Powell understands the weight of the cultural legacy surrounding James Bond. Since Ian Fleming’s novels hit the screen, the role has been reserved for British and Irish actors, with Daniel Craig most recently redefining the character across five films. Powell believes the tuxedo comes with heritage, not just star power.
The actor is instead focused on his expanding slate of projects. Alongside Edgar Wright’s The Running Man, Powell headlines Hulu’s Chad Powers, where he plays what he calls “the hardest character” of his career. Directing may also be on the horizon, though Powell insists he is currently in “film school” thanks to working with cinematic heavyweights like Richard Linklater, Lee Isaac Chung, and J.J. Abrams.
Despite his growing fame, Powell is content letting Bond go to another contender. His stance echoes that of fellow actors like Taron Egerton and Theo James, who also turned away from fan-driven campaigns. “Everyone’s interested in that because it’s a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn’t be me,” James said last year.
What’s the Latest Update on 26th James Bond?
While Powell is refusing the 007 role, the Bond casting carousel spins on. The latest surprise entry? British actor Scott Rose-Marsh. According to reports, the 37-year-old, best known for Krays: Code of Silence and Wolves of War, has screen-tested for the coveted role. Insiders claim Rose-Marsh read dialogue from GoldenEye under the watch of director Denis Villeneuve, with one firm instruction, do not impersonate past Bonds.
If true, Rose-Marsh’s audition throws cold water on rumors that Amazon MGM Studios wanted a younger actor to reboot the franchise. At 37, Rose-Marsh is nearly the same age Daniel Craig was when he debuted in Casino Royale. Yet his lesser-known profile could prove attractive to producers seeking freshness without sacrificing maturity.
Of course, Rose-Marsh is far from the only name in the mix. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Regé-Jean Page, and Callum Turner remain constant fixtures of fan speculation, while Tom Holland has politely bowed out, citing commitments elsewhere. Meanwhile, Villeneuve, a lifelong Bond devotee, has promised to treat the character as “sacred territory” once Dune: Part 3 wraps production.
The guessing game will continue until an official announcement breaks, but Glen Powell won’t be ordering a martini, shaken or stirred, in MI6’s service.
