‘House of the Dragon’ Star Ewan Mitchell Rumored to Play the Villain in Denis Villeneuve’s James Bond Film

Every October 5, fans mark James Bond Day, which celebrates the release of 1962’s ‘Dr. No.’ This year, many 007 devotees hoped the occasion would bring the first official news about who will play the next James Bond after months of speculation.

Instead, a fresh rumor has landed about the other side of the equation. The search for the next Bond is only half the puzzle, since any great spy film also needs a villain worthy of him.

Amazon MGM Studios confirmed in May that the search for the next 007 is underway, saying it doesn’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process but will share news when the time is right. That hasn’t stopped the rumor mill, and the latest report centers on a familiar face from ‘House of the Dragon.’

According to The Sun, as reported by NME, Ewan Mitchell is being considered to play a villain in the upcoming Bond film. Mitchell, who plays Prince Aemond Targaryen on ‘House of the Dragon,’ has not commented on the report.

The tabloid’s source reportedly said that producers want an up-and-coming name rather than an established star, along with someone with a distinct look. The source described Mitchell as the full package and said his age fits a reboot aiming for a younger cast.

It’s worth stressing that none of this is confirmed. Reports have also noted that no actors have officially been cast in any major roles, so treat the Mitchell story as industry chatter for now.

Mitchell is an English actor born in Derby in 1997 who began his career in 2015. His breakout came in ‘The Last Kingdom,’ where he played Osferth from the second series through the fifth, and he later appeared in the BBC World War II drama ‘World on Fire.’

He joined ‘House of the Dragon’ as the adult Aemond Targaryen in the first season, taking over from Leo Ashton, who played the younger version. The one-eyed prince has become one of the show’s most menacing figures, and Mitchell has described the character as an escalating threat in the third season, comparing his storyline to Travis Bickle from ‘Taxi Driver.’

That reputation for playing ruthless, unsettling characters is exactly what a Bond villain needs. A younger actor with a striking look and a growing profile would also fit the idea of building a fresh Bond era from the ground up.

Denis Villeneuve was confirmed as director in June 2025, with Steven Knight writing the script and Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing. Villeneuve said at the time that he is a die-hard Bond fan who grew up watching the films with his father, starting with ‘Dr. No.’

The film is the first 007 adventure under Amazon MGM, and it is expected to arrive in 2028 after Villeneuve finishes his ‘Dune’ commitments. Deadline has reported that the director wants an unknown British actor in his late 20s or early 30s to play Bond himself.

Names including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner and Jack Lowden have dominated the headlines for the lead, while Variety previously reported that Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson were at the top of Amazon’s wish list. Nothing has been made official, and Taylor-Johnson is reported to have ruled himself out.

The Bond villain tradition runs deep, from the scheming masterminds of the early films to the more psychologically complicated antagonists of the Daniel Craig era. Whoever takes on the role will have a lot to live up to, and the choice will say a lot about the tone Villeneuve wants.

A casting like Mitchell’s would suggest a leaner, younger and more intense approach, in line with the director’s reputation for atmospheric, serious-minded filmmaking. It would also continue a long-standing tradition of pulling rising talent from prestige television into blockbuster franchises.

For now, fans will have to wait for Amazon to make its next move. Until then, every Bond rumor should be treated with caution, even if this one is fun to imagine.

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