LONDON — June 2025: Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy has emerged as a top candidate to portray the next villain in the highly anticipated James Bond film, according to industry buzz and bookmaker predictions.
Best known for his powerful performance as Thomas Shelby in the hit series Peaky Blinders, Murphy is now rumored to be stepping into darker territory once again — this time as the lead antagonist in the iconic spy franchise.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, betting expert Jake Ashton commented on the significance of the role:
“The villain role in Bond movies is just as iconic as Bond himself. With Cillian Murphy at the height of his powers and trusted by major directors, he’s a natural favourite.”
Murphy is not the only name floating around for the coveted role. Other contenders reportedly include seasoned actor Paul Giamatti, Dune and The Suicide Squad star David Dastmalchian, and a surprise entry — Zendaya.
Though best known for her heroic role in the Spider-Man franchise, Zendaya has expressed interest in exploring darker characters. In a past interview with Elle, she shared:
“I would love to play a villain of sorts. Tap into the evil, supervillain vibes… not necessarily in a superhero sense, but in an emotional one.”
The previous Bond film, No Time To Die (2021), featured Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin, a calculated and dangerous enemy with a vendetta against SPECTRE. His haunting portrayal set the bar high for the next actor to take on a villainous role in the legendary franchise.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman were spotted in London earlier this year for the early development stages of the next Bond installment. However, no official casting announcements have been made so far.
As speculation grows, fans eagerly await confirmation on who will take on the villainous mantle — and whether Murphy, with his chilling screen presence, will become Bond’s next formidable foe.
