Sydney Sweeney should be the next James Bond, says director Paul Feig – UK Times

The rumour mill surrounding which actor will take on the role of James Bond has never been stronger. But director Paul Feig has thrown an unlikely name into the ring, as he’s suggested that American actor Sydney Sweeney should play the British secret agent.

Ever since Daniel Craig said goodbye to the spy in 2021’s No Time To Die, there has been rampant speculation questioning who will play 007 in the next film. Callum Turner is currently believed to be the frontrunner, with Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Cillian Murphy all names that are said to have been thrown into the ring.

But speaking in a new interview, Bridesmaids director Feig, who worked with Sweeney, 28, on the thriller The Housemaid, suggested that he would “rather Sydney be the next Bond” than for her to play a Bond girl, as has been rumoured.

“There have been some cool Bond girls, but come on, let her be the super-spy, she’s great,” the 63-year-old told The Sun. “She’s one of the hardest-working people I know, so professional, so smart, so savvy. I think she’d be a good spy.”

And while Feig’s comment might seem like an attempt to infuriate traditionalists who believe that 007 should only ever be played by a man, the director is following the lead from Sweeney herself.

Asked about the rumours she would be on board for the film in October, the Euphoria star said: “I can’t… I don’t know… To be honest, I don’t know all the Bond rumours, but I’ve always been a huge fan of the franchise, and I’m excited and curious to see what they do with it.”

She cheekily suggested that she might not be interested in a supporting role in the long-standing franchise’s latest instalment, saying: “I think I’d have more fun as James Bond.”

Best known for her break-out role on HBO’s gritty teen drama Euphoria, Sweeney has branched out in recent years to box office hits Anyone But You and The Housemaid, as well as the critically acclaimed sports biopic Christy.

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She’s also proven to be a controversial figure, and recently responded to critics who call her “Maga Barbie” over her long-speculated political leaning.

Her alleged connection to the upcoming Bond film is said to stem from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reportedly being keen for Sweeney, who attended his wedding to Lauren Sánchez last June, to appear as a Bond girl.

Were Sweeney to take on the role of James Bond’s female love interest, she’d be joining a list of stars including Honor Blackman, Kim Basinger and Rosamund Pike.

Bezos’s Amazon MGM Studios took the creative reins of the secret agent films in 2025, taking over from long-time custodians Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli as part of a lucrative new deal.

While no casting has been announced for the next Bond film, Dune’s Denis Villeneuve is directing, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has been announced as the script writer on board.