Cliff Notes – Beloved British actress edges out Zendaya as favourite for Bond Girl

Florence Pugh has emerged as the frontrunner for the next Bond girl role, overtaking Zendaya in betting odds at 11/8.
Director Denis Villeneuve’s involvement has intensified speculation, with both actresses having previous collaborations with him in the "Dune" franchise.

Beloved British actress edges out Zendaya as favourite for Bond Girl

Who could be next to take on the iconic female lead role? (Picture: Getty)

There’s a new name in the Bond girl conversation, just days after it was finally confirmed that Denis Villeneuve will be directing the upcoming 007 film.

The Canadian director, best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Prisoners, is now stepping up to the directorial plate amid major upheaval at Bond HQ.

Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (£6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond — and whoever is next to play 007 – is entirely under the streamer’s control.

Now that a director is officially attached, the speculation around who will play who has ramped up a notch.

Zendaya has been top of minds to take on the iconic role of the next Bond girl – admittedly, not the best terminology for the iconic female lead – but Florence Pugh’s name has now also entered the conversation.

Florence Pugh has taken over as the favourite to be the next Bond Girl, at 11/8, according to Gambling.com.

Florenze Pugh has already worked with Denis Villeneuve (Picture: Warner Bros/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Zendaya has been piped to the post in the current odds (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

She already has a working relationship with Villeneuve, having joined the Dune fold for the second film.

While Pugh once ruled out being the first female Bond, she has signalled her interest in portraying a spy. She told Digital Spy: ‘I think everyone’s always interested in playing a spy, right?

‘That’s something we grow up admiring, which is so strange, but it’s just a very clever and quick world that we all want to be a part of.’

Pugh’s Dune co-star Zendaya – who was directed by Villeneuve in both his sci-fi films and is set to reprise her role in the upcoming third – is also in contention to be the Bond role, currently at 6/4 odds.

Ana de Armas has already made her Bond debut (Picture: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

She has also been produced by new Bond producer Amy Pascal in a number of films, including last year’s sensational sweat-fest Challengers.

The other names currently in contention according to the bookies include Ana de Armas, who had a scene-stealing turn in No Time To Die as Paloma, as well as Emma Watson and Rebecca Ferguson.

It comes after Villeneuve shared an emotional statement about taking on the next film, saying: ‘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.’