Ranbir Kapoor could soon make his Hollywood debut, if growing speculation around his possible role in the next James Bond film proves true. The buzz suggests Kapoor is being eyed for a major part in the upcoming spy thriller, which is reportedly being directed by action blockbuster veteran Michael Bay.
While the news remains unconfirmed, a report from Tellychakkar claims that Kapoor is in early discussions with the production team. The project is rumored to include Ana de Armas, set to reprise her role as the fan-favorite agent Paloma from No Time to Die, alongside British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is also said to be in talks.
The film is expected to begin shooting in June 2025 and could mark a dramatic shift in the James Bond franchise, both in tone and timeline.
According to The Sun, the next installment may serve as a creative reboot, possibly set in the 1950s or 1960s, and feature the youngest Bond ever portrayed on screen—a stark contrast to Daniel Craig’s grizzled version of the MI6 agent, who died in the 2021 film No Time to Die.
Adding to the intrigue is Michael Bay’s rumored involvement. Known for high-octane spectacles like Transformers and Bad Boys, Bay directing a Bond film signals a potential departure from the gritty, grounded tone of recent installments toward more explosive, big-budget storytelling.
Neither Kapoor’s camp nor Bay’s team has responded publicly to the casting rumors, but fans are already buzzing online about the idea of the Bollywood superstar stepping into one of Hollywood’s most iconic franchises.
Back home, Ranbir Kapoor is keeping busy with a packed slate of Indian projects. He is currently filming Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, playing Lord Ram opposite Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravan. He’s also set to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, and is developing the highly anticipated sequel Brahmastra 2.
If the Bond role comes through, Kapoor could be poised for a true global breakthrough, straddling Bollywood and Hollywood with ease.
“He’s balancing a career that’s already huge in India—adding James Bond to the mix could make him a worldwide phenomenon,” said one film analyst.