Days after it was revealed that Denis Villeneuve would be directing the next 007 movie, new names have entered the fray for those in the running to be the next Bond girl.
The Canadian director is best known for directing Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Prisoners, and Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Here’s a breakdown of the rumoured stars that could be the next Bond girl.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh, renowned for her range and powerful performances, has solidified her status as one of Hollywood's most sought-after performers. From the creepy Midsommar to the emotionally powerful Little Women, the star has made an impression in a number of roles.
According to Gambling.com, Pugh is currently the favourite to play Bond girl with odds of 11/8.
And Pugh has worked with Denis Villeneuve in the past in Dune: Part Two, which could work in her favour.
Zendaya
Zendaya has been the most talked about candidate to play the famous Bond girl, and she isn’t too far behind Pugh with 6/4 odds.
The 28-year-old has also worked with Villeneuve, again in the Dune franchise, so she holds a strong chance of landing the role.
Amy Pascal, the new Bond producer, has also produced her in a number of films, including the tennis blockbuster Challengers from last year.
Ana de Armas
Another name currently in contention according to the bookies include Ana de Armas, who had a scene-stealing turn in No Time To Die as Paloma.
De Armas is another face familiar to Villeneuve, after portraying Joi in his 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049.
She makes the list with odds of 7/4.
While the 37-year-old rose to prominence with Blade Runner, she is also known for her role as Marta Cabrera in Knives Out and Marilyn Monroe in the biographical drama Blonde.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson has emerged as one of the bookies’ favourites to be the next Bond girl.
Watson, who became well-known for her portrayal of Hermione in Harry Potter, hasn't starred in a big-budget film since Little Women in 2019.
The actress has shifted her focus to activism since then, saying in 2020 that she was “curious to embrace a role where she works to amplify more voices, to continue to learn from those with different experiences.”
With odds of 2/1, this could mark Watson’s return to screen.
Rebecca Ferguson
Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson, who starred in Dune and Dune: Part Two, is another actress who has already worked under Villeneuve's direction.
Ferguson made her acting debut in motion pictures in 2004 with the Swedish slasher movie Drowning Ghost, having started her career on television in 1999 with the Swedish soap opera Nya tider.
Her role as Elizabeth Woodville in the British drama The White Queen in 2013, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film, catapulted her to international renown.
She has odds of 5/2, just behind Harry Potter star Emma Watson.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie and one of new Bond producer David Heyman’s previous collaborators, having worked together on the 2019 comedy-drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the 2023 feature Barbie, in which Robbie played the title character.
The Australian actress, who shot to fame with Wolf of Wall Street, is clearly a major favourite among bookies as she was also a frontrunner back in 2016.
Robbie currently has odds of 3/1.
Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz made her acting debut in the romantic comedy film No Reservations in 2007. Her breakthrough came with portraying Angel Salvadore in X-Men: First Class, and she had further franchise roles in The Divergent Series and the Fantastic Beasts film series.
The 36-year-old, who is also a filmmaker, has odds of 4/1.
