Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Cillian Murphy: The Unexpected Star to Take on Bond Villain Role?

British actor Craig, 57, enjoyed a five movie stint as the spy beginning with Casino Royale and ending with No Time To Die (Pictured in Skyfall) but a new cast is now being found

BOND IS BACK: Shocking Favourite Emerges to Play Next Villain in James Bond Franchise

The highly-anticipated next instalment of James Bond has been shrouded in secrecy, but one thing is certain - it's going to be explosive! The latest news from the world of 007 has sent shockwaves through the film industry, with a surprise contender emerging as the top favourite to play the villain.

After Daniel Craig hung up his Walther PPK for good, fans have been left wondering who will take on the iconic role. But it's not just about finding the next Bond - the new movie needs a formidable foe to match wits and gadgets with our dashing spy. And that's where Cillian Murphy comes in.

Cillian Murphy, 49, has emerged as the shock bookies' favourite to be cast as the villain in the next Bond Movie (Pictured February 2025)

The 49-year-old Irish actor, best known for his portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, has been crowned the odds-on favourite by betting companies OLBG to play the next Bond villain. And we can't say we're surprised! With a career spanning over two decades, Murphy has proven himself to be one of the most versatile actors of our time.

But what's behind his sudden rise to favouritism? Insiders claim that Amazon's recent takeover of the franchise has opened up new possibilities for casting. The tech giant's influence is clear in the appointment of David Heyman and Amy Pascal, who are tasked with rebooting the series and bringing it into a new era.

"We're fast-tracking this next film," a source close to the production revealed. "We want to make sure we get it right, and that means taking risks and trying new things."

The Irish actor - who plays lead character Thomas Shelby in the Netflix series - had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation telling Deadline: 'I think I'm a bit old for that'

And what's more thrilling than casting a household name as the villain? Murphy, of course, has already played his fair share of complex characters, but playing Bond's arch-nemesis would be a whole new level of acting prowess.

But he's not the only contender in the running. Paul Giamatti (11/2) and David Dastmalchian (13/2) are also hot favourites to take on the role, while Zendaya (7/1) is an unexpected dark horse. The 28-year-old actress has already shown her acting chops in films like Euphoria and Spider-Man: No Way Home, but would she be able to tap into her inner villain?

"I'd love to play a villain of sorts," Zendaya told Elle in 2023. "Tap into the evil, supervillain vibes. Whatever that manifests in, I don't think necessarily in a superhero sense, I just mean in like an emotional sense."

Paul Giamatti, 58, is the second favourite for the part having featured in The Ides of March (Pictured May 2025)

But what about Theo James, who currently sits at favourite for the part (3/1)? The White Lotus star has impressed with his complex characters and nuanced performances, but he's recently expressed his reservations about taking on the role.

"Everyone's interested in playing Bond because it's a big part of British cultural identity," James told The Guardian. "But that probably wouldn't be me."

Meanwhile, Aaron-Taylor Johnson (7/2) and Henry Cavill (3/1) are also still in contention for the role. But what about the new era of Bond? Will we see a straight-up reboot, or will the filmmakers try to incorporate some of the old elements?

American actor David Dastmalchian, 49, is also in the running for the part after impressing in The Dark Knight (Pictured June 2025)

"Amazon's influence is clear," a source revealed. "They want to shake things up and make it their own. And that includes rethinking the setting for the next film."

Liverpool has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Central London, which will be off-limits due to filming restrictions next year. But eagle-eyed fans know that this doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - although we can bet our martini (shaken not stirred) that it won't go unnoticed.

So there you have it, folks! The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as we await the next Bond movie. Who will take on the role of villain? Will it be Cillian Murphy, or one of the other hot contenders? Stay tuned for more updates from The Scholarly Note!

While Zendaya, 28, has too emerged as a shock contender after expressing her want to be a villain during an interview (Pictured May 2025)

Sources:

  • OLBG
  • Elle Magazine
  • The Guardian
  • The Sun

There have been a host of iconic Bond villains over the years, including Jaws played by Richard Kiel in the 1970s

Rami Malik, 44, starred as the villain in the 2021 movie No Time To Die

Before him, A-lister Christoph Waltz, 68, starred as the villain in Spectre

Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as 'up there with the great' Bond baddies

The current bookies' favourite to become the next Bond is none other than The Divergent series star Theo James, 40

Superman actor Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list but has now been pipped by Theo