Margaret Qualley turned heads tonight at the 97th Academy Awards when she performed a dance medley to the iconic James Bond theme tune - and it's got everyone speculating that she could be the next Bond girl.
This makes sense, considering she is already the frontrunner for the next Bond girl role. Now, Margaret Qualley's performance at the Oscars 2025 all but confirmed that she’s set to star in the next Bond film – at least, according to viewers.
Is Margaret Qualley the next Bond girl?
In February 2025, industry experts gave Qualley 9/2 odds of becoming the next Bond Girl, with Sydney Sweeney previously reported to be in the running. Saoirse Ronan has also expressed interest in playing a role in the franchise, although nothing official has been announced yet.
Should Qualley score the role, she’d follow the likes of Halle Berry, Britt Ekland, Ursula Andress, Eva Green, and Gemma Arterton. Berry introduced tonight’s Oscars dedication to the Bond franchise, which also featured performances from Raye, Doja Cat and former BLACKPINK member Rose.
The next Bond film is expected to be released in 2027, although the exact date is still to be confirmed. Most recently, Amazon MGM took over creative control of the franchise, with CEO Andy Jassy hinting that the next film, Bond 26, is still a long way off.
‘It’s an amazing franchise that we care a lot about and that we expect to develop over a long period of time,’ Jassy said in a CNBC interview, reported by Deadline.
While filming may not occur for some time, casting the next Bond girl may come sooner. In fact, reports have been swirling about who could play the coveted role for years, with Qualley high on bookies lists thanks to her recent performance in The Substance. Qualley is not nominated for a solo Oscar in tonight’s ceremony, although The Substance has five opportunities to win.