Jack Barton, the unknown favourite to become the next James Bond

An unknown storms into the race for the new James Bond

The race for the new James Bond has a favourite nobody expected: Jack Barton. An actor with barely any blockbuster credentials has overtaken established names like Jack Lowden, Callum Turner or Jacob Elordi in the betting. The story comes from Page Six, and the perfect justification comes from the franchise's former casting director: an unknown face could be the key to success.

The dark horse who is already number one in the odds

According to Page Six, Barton is currently one of the frontrunners. His profile fits perfectly with the long-standing advice of the woman who ran casting for several instalments: that the character should matter more than the star. In a franchise that just bid farewell to Daniel Craig with a controversial death, going for an unknown is an attempt to reset 007 without dragging along comparisons.

The noise surrounding the choice

Reactions have been immediate and loud. Some mock the candidate's supposed lack of testosterone, while others see the move as confirmation that the producers no longer want to take risks. The spectre of a female Bond or a more diverse cast looms again, and choosing a low-profile actor seems like an attempt to sidestep the identity debate without taking a stand.

A choice that could end up pleasing no one

The problem with this low-profile pick is twofold: it risks failing to excite the purists and failing to win over those calling for fresh air. Critics see it as a surrender; those who celebrate it, as a clever way of avoiding friction. Bond history says unknowns can work, but only if the film backs them up.

For now, Barton is the name on the table. Whether the studio confirms the rumour is another story. If this franchise teaches anything, it's to take nothing for granted until the trailer.