Harris Dickinson addresses speculation he could be the next James Bond – after letting

Harris Dickinson has addressed the rumours that he is in the running to take on the coveted role of James Bond.

The actor, 29, has long been listed as one of the frontrunners to play the iconic British spy, following Daniel Craig‘s exit in 2021 with No Time To Die.

Bookmakers’ shortlist of contenders puts Harris’ name alongside long-standing favourites like Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James and Callum Turner.

But after the Babygirl star was announced to have been cast as John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ upcoming quartet of Beatles biopics, some have questioned if this lowers his odds of landing the 007 role as well.

However, in a new interview with The Sunday Times, Harris added fuel to the fire, teasing that the Bond film is a long way off, and quipping that he knew who would be playing the titular secret agent.

He suggestively said: ‘Well, that won’t start for a bit, will it? And I like a martini. But who knows?’

Harris Dickinson has addressed the rumours that he is in the running to take on the coveted role of James Bond

The actor, 29, has long been listed as one of the frontrunners to play the iconic British spy, following Daniel Craig ‘s exit in 2021 with No Time To Die

When asked to elaborate, he insisted that he knew the identity of the next Bond, saying: ‘I can’t say, obviously’, before jokingly adding: ‘It’s Michael Caine.’

Michael Caine, 92, was reportedly once strongly considered for Bond after Sean Connery’s departure, but turned it down because he felt he was too ‘ordinary’ and worried he’d be typecast after playing fellow famed British spy, Harry Palmer.

Also in the interview, Harris let slip the identity of a previously unnamed actor that he once revealed had ‘humiliated’ him on the set of one of his early films, by mocking his working class roots.

He had first opened up on the incident in a 2023 interview with The Times, where he recalled how a ‘w***er’ co-star had used a series of social cliches to describe Harris while playing a guessing game on set.

He described how the game involved a player pretending to be someone on set while the others attempted to guess who by asking a series of questions, but that his co-star had taken the opportunity to make a series of stereotypes

Harris said: ‘I won’t say who it is and I really want to, because he’s a w***er. But we did a film and he was old school, middle to upper class, had done the rounds, TV, theatre.’

‘It was becoming quite clear that the only person he could’ve been talking about was me. Fish’n’chips is a stereotypical working-class food, Love Island is culturally low, while lukewarm is insulting.

‘He said, “I’m Harris, of course!” He humiliated me in front of all of these other actors and it’s difficult for that not to affect you, especially if you’re young.’

While Harris refused to directly name the actor in question at the time, he appeared to let the cat out of the bag in his most recent interview with the publication, as he addressed theories from readers.

After some suggested it was Ralph Fiennes, his co-star in 2021 spy drama The King’s Man, he was quick to assure: ‘No, it’s not Ralph. Ralph’s a sweetheart’.

However, in response to the suggestion it was his co-star from 2019’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Robert Lindsay, Harris exclaimed: ‘F***! I’ve been caught!’ before refused to elaborate further.

It comes after Daily Mail revealed that the plan is for the new James Bond to be a ‘straight up’ reboot.

There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.

Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.

The studio completed its massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise three years ago.

And recently Amazon announced that Denis Villeneuve – best known for directing Warner Bros.’ two-part Dune adaptation – has signed on to direct the untitled film.

When asked to elaborate, he insisted that he knew the identity of the next Bond, saying: ‘I can’t say, obviously’, before jokingly adding: ‘It’s Michael Caine’ (pictured in 2023)

Amy Pascal and David Heyman had previously been revealed as the film’s producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

In a statement, Denis said: ‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.

‘I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.’

The filmmaker admitted: ‘This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.’

He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, ‘are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust’.

Amy and David added: ‘Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.

‘It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.’

After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.

Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.

Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.