Variety: How Young Will Amazon Make James Bond?

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At the time, Knight — who created the boozy Netflix show starring the fast-rising Brit as an Irish brewery heir — had just been unveiled as the writer of the 26th James Bond film, being directed by Denis Villeneuve. It represents Amazon MGM Studio’s major reboot of the spy franchise after the company acquired creative control from Eon. Partridge, like any actor with his eyes on arguably cinema’s most coveted role, was understandably eager to show off his finest 007 moves.

Six months on and, whatever Partridge — also known for “Enola Holmes,” “Disclaimer,” Netflix’s upcoming “Pride & Prejudice” and a recent relationship with Olivia Rodrigo — did at the bar in front of Knight, rumors would suggest it paid off. Speculation has now reached Variety that he’s in contention for the job (and beyond simply being put on a bookmaker’s list).

Of course, as with almost anything regarding Hollywood’s most famous superspy that’s not come directly out of the mouths of its key creative team, it’s important to note that this is no more than speculation. Attempts to confirm with Partridge’s reps or Amazon MGM Studios have been as predictably futile as any Bond villain’s wildly-complicated plans for global domination.

The Partridge rumor does, however, align with widespread chatter that the incoming 007 will be much younger than previous Bonds. Following a (speculative, of course) report in Deadline earlier this year, the word “fresh-faced” has done the rounds, and many in the industry Variety has spoken to seem to be sure the age is being dialed down a few notches.

But just how fresh-faced are they going for? At 23, Partridge’s face is considerably fresher than that of every other name on the ever-evolving conveyor belt of likely candidates (a lineup currently led by Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson). As many might note, he’s barely old enough to have developed a fussy preference over how his cocktails are mixed, let alone legally drink one.

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