Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, or Florence Pugh in the race: Who could be the new Bond Girl? Possibilities explored 

Zendaya might soon lead another epic franchise, as she’s rumored to be the next Bond girl in Amazon MGM’s upcoming spy thriller. The film is reportedly being directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Apart from the Dune franchise stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney has also been one of the names being thrown in the ballot.

Rumors of Zendaya’s casting surfaced online after the announcement of her partner, Tom Holland, as one of the stars being considered to play the next James Bond. Holland was part of Amazon’s reported wishlist for the casting, alongside Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson. Yet, it’s still too early to know who will follow in the footsteps of Daniel Craig.

It’s a major creative decision that will dictate the future of the franchise without the Broccolis. So, the next Bond must be someone who can seamlessly slide into the sleek suits and embody his sophistication with innate charm. It’s a huge responsibility for an actor, also because people have strong views on how Bond should—or shouldn’t—be.

Some see Bond simply as a womanizer, others more as a clever spy who has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. It’s not just about his gaze or aura, but about his character. The character has evolved across its cinematic iterations, and the same has happened with the “Bond girl.” She is not defined by a single trait, which makes it all the more challenging to find an actress that everyone would be on board with.

Will Sydney Sweeney sweep this role, or will Florence Pugh claim the title? Could it be Zendaya instead? To explore future possibilities, we must look back at the past.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

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The "Bond Girl" has evolved throughout the history of Bond films

The Bond girl is a classic character, usually defined by her seductive poise and grace, but there is far more to her appeal than just her appearance. The character has continually evolved since the inception of Bond films in the 1960s. Ursula Andress’ Honey Ryder was the first Bond girl, introduced with Sean Connery’s suave spy in 1962’s Dr. No.

It was the first time audiences witnessed the sexual tension between the two leads, as Honey emerges from the water in a bikini. Since then, she has often been associated with the classic image of a Bond girl. It set up an archetype, and although strong and resourceful, her appearance represented the desires of the male gaze.

Over four decades later, the franchise seemingly flipped this notion in 2006’s Casino Royale, showing Bond emerging from the water while women sat on the shore. However, it had done so earlier in the 1985 film A View to a Kill with Grace Jones. She was not just a femme fatale or a sacrificial lamb in Bond’s narrative. Instead, she commanded your attention as a match to the spy.

Later on, Michelle Yeoh and Halle Berry developed the essence of this character—no longer defined by her romantic entanglement with the lead.

It brings us back to the primary question: Who could be the next Bond girl?

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Will Zendaya snatch the Bond girl role in the Amazon MGM film?

Zendaya is considered to be in the race to play the Bond girl for a few reasons. The rumors reportedly started because of her real-life relationship with Tom Holland, who is eyed to play the 007 agent. However, it’s also her lucrative collaborations with Denis Villeneuve that make her a shoo-in for this role.

Sydney Sweeney has also entered the conversation, praised for her striking screen presence and rising star power. Even Villeneuve recently spoke about her “alluring appeal,” which is vital to modernizing the franchise. Yet, if there’s anything set in this long-running franchise, it’s that it has always evolved.

But Zendaya is not the only Villeneuve collaborator making rounds through fan speculation. Some believe Florence Pugh deserves the role, considering her wide acting range. Others see Rebecca Ferguson as a wonderful choice—someone who knows how to pull punches even in front of someone like Ethan Hunt. Sydney Sweeney has also entered the conversation, praised for her striking screen presence and rising star power.

Hence, it won’t be a surprise if same-age stars like Zendaya and Tom Holland grace the screen as a fierce duo, roaming the globe. She has also been a crucial reason behind the success of Challengers (2024) and the Dune films.

With these projects, Zendaya has carved her identity as someone far more than just a former Disney star. Her 2024 film leaned heavily into the psycho-sexual tension between her character and the two male leads. It’s one of the qualities behind the magnetic push-and-pull between the 007 agent and a Bond girl. So, in a franchise where the sky is the only limit, she might just nail the role.