"Meet the Six Contenders Raising the Style Bar in the Race to Replace Daniel Craig as James Bond"

SINCE Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond ended in a blaze of glory five years ago, there has been much speculation about who will be the next 007.

But the race to become Hollywood’s favourite secret agent is reaching the final furlong with producers determined to lock in their leading man by autumn before filming begins next year.

Callum Turner, 36, recently celebrated his wedding to pop queen Dua Lipa in Sicily, wearing a Bond-esque tuxedo Credit: Unknown Roer Moore’s 007 in The Spy Who Love Me Credit: Getty

And the top contenders are pulling out all the stops in a mission to impress bosses and become the seventh actor to play Bond.

, , , , and have been on a PR blitz over the past month, ensuring they are snapped method-dressing as the famous spy.

The six British actors who hope to follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, , , and have been wearing sharp suits and even getting their kit off in a bid to impress.

The Sun understands Bond bosses cast a wide net in their search for the next 007, and have begun to inform talent who have made it to the next round of auditions, set to take place in August — with fewer than a dozen names making it through.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson channelled James Bond as his Wimbledon outfit mirrored George Lazenby Credit: Getty George Lazenby on his solo outing as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

A film insider said: “It has not gone unnoticed that as producers whittle down the shortlists, we are seeing more and more of the top contenders.

“They clearly want to be seen and are even dressing the part. This is the role that every British actor dreams of.”

The source added: “They know that the competition for Bond is stiffer than ever and has left some very big shoes to fill.

“With more eyes on Bond than ever before and more money at stake, the bosses are determined to get it right.”

The Crown actor Josh O’Connor, 36, another star vying for the plum role, was in Paris this week strutting his stuff in head-to-toe Christian Dior Credit: Getty Daniel Craig in No Time To Die Credit: Alamy

Tenet actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 36, who has regularly topped the bookies’ list for the next Bond, was photographed at this week in an all-white ensemble that made him a dead ringer for Daniel Craig’s look in Spectre.

star James Norton, 40, was also at the famous South London tennis courts looking suitably dapper in a tie and light grey blazer combo.

The Bond hopeful even copied Daniel’s signature move as he readjusted his cuffs before taking his seat in the Royal Box.

The Crown actor Josh O’Connor, 36, another star vying for the plum role, was in Paris this week strutting his stuff in head-to-toe Christian Dior.

Superman star Henry Cavill was talked about as the next Bond before Craig had even announced his departure from the franchise Credit: Getty Craig in 2015’s Spectre Credit: Rex

He was later photographed laughing with pop’s , 27 — a favourite to be a future Bond girl.

When The Gentlemen series two trailer was released on Thursday starring Theo James, 41, it was likened to an audition tape for Bond.

actor, whose brooding good looks would be ideal for the role, is seen shooting guns, racing speed boats and driving in the caper.

He was spotted in his Savile Row finest at a series of society events in London’s Mayfair last month.

When The Gentlemen series two trailer was released on Thursday starring Theo James, 41, it was likened to an audition tape for Bond Credit: Getty Sean Connery in GoldfingerCredit: Refer to Source

Superman star Henry Cavill was talked about as the next Bond before Craig had even announced his departure from the franchise.

Last month, the Jersey-born actor swapped his superhero suit for a top hat and tails as he schmoozed at .

Meanwhile, in Sicily, wearing a Bond-esque tuxedo.

Later, on his honeymoon, he stripped down to his swimming shorts for a dip in the sea, in scenes reminiscent of Craig’s watery debut in Casino Royale.

James Norton, 40, was at Wimbledon looking suitably dapper in tie and light grey blazer combo – even copying Daniel Craig’s signature move as he readjusted his cuffs before taking his seat Credit: PA Craig’s Bond in 2021’s No Time To Die Credit: Alamy

Other names in the mix, but who have kept a low profile in recent weeks, are Wuthering Heights actor , 29, and Harris Dickinson, 30, who is playing in the new Beatles biopics.

The 007 films will no longer be produced by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the daughter and stepson of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched the British spy franchise in 1962.

The pair, who controlled the franchise, sold the rights to in February last year.

The new Bond film will be directed by Dune director Denis Villeneuve and the script written by creator Steven Knight.

Amazon fired the starting gun on the race in May, telling the Press: “The search for the next is under way.”

Hopefuls will have to impress casting boss Nina Gold, who previously worked on , series The Crown, plus five films in the franchise.

One of her top criteria, she told Deadline in April, is the next 007 actor has got “to ooze sex appeal”.

Someone else who knows a thing or two about casting Bond is Debbie McWilliams, who worked on the franchise for four decades.

She previously explained her requirements, saying: “We want to know as little about them personally as possible because that’s what spies are.

“We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives.

“We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description.

“He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.”

Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, has also waded in with an update.

“We’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect,” she said in April.

“It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

“What I can tell you is this — when you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team, you’re setting the stage for something that’s truly worthy of the Bond legacy.”

The Sun understands that film financiers in the City have been tapped up this month to help fund the 26th James Bond movie, and have been told that production should begin on the next instalment in 2027.

But while the race for Bond continues, it has been rumoured that the next Bond girl has already been cast — and it’s none other than .

The actress, 28, is a favourite of Amazon boss , who is a top investor in her lingerie firm SYRN, and she even attended his wedding to last year.

Asked about the rumours in an interview with entertainment magazine Variety, the blonde bombshell said: “I can’t . . . ”

However, she added: “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.”