Casting Choices Ahead: Exciting Movie and TV Roles Coming in 2026 from Bond to Voldemort and Beyond

Several major film and television roles are expected to be filled in 2026, including iconic characters such as the next James Bond, the Doctor from Doctor Who, and the notorious Voldemort. Key productions for both the big and small screens are underway, from the anticipated Season 4 of The White Lotus—which is already in the casting phase—to the upcoming sixth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean.

• HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series – Voldemort

  Tilda Swinton has sparked online rumors regarding her potential casting as Lord Voldemort in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, though no confirmations have been made. Cillian Murphy, previously mentioned as a contender, dismissed these speculations during a guest appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. With production having started over the summer, significant casting announcements have already been made. Ralph Fiennes previously portrayed the Dark Lord in the film adaptations.

• Doctor Who

  A Christmas special of Doctor Who is slated for late 2026 following the regeneration from Ncuti Gatwa to Billie Piper at the conclusion of the previous series. Speculation regarding the next Doctor’s identity is rife, with names such as Piper, Erin Doherty, Aimee Lou Wood, and a potential comeback for Matt Smith circulating among fans.

• The White Lotus

  

  The casting for The White Lotus is making headlines, with Helena Bonham Carter being reported as a new addition, following in the footsteps of stars like Jason Isaacs and Jennifer Coolidge. Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka have also been officially confirmed for the fourth season set in France, raising questions about which local talents will join the cast.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

  Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have scheduled a release date of December 17, 2027, for The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis. The film is anticipated to delve into Aragorn and Gandalf’s quest to recapture Gollum after his escape from Mordor, but questions remain as to whether original cast members Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and Orlando Bloom will reprise their roles or if new faces will be introduced.

• James Bond Film

  

  As Daniel Craig steps away from the role of 007, speculation continues regarding replacements for the iconic British spy. Names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Idris Elba have been mentioned, alongside newer candidates. Reports indicate that director Denis Villeneuve’s team may prefer an unknown British actor for the next film, tentatively planned for release in 2027, although casting efforts are expected to pick up in 2026.

• ‘X-Men’ Film

  Jake Schreier recently hinted at work beginning on a new live-action X-Men film, which is rumored to debut in 2028. As anticipation for the project grows, discussions about potential casting for roles like Jean Grey and Wolverine are sparking interest among fans.

• ‘Call My Agent!’

  

  A film adaptation of the hit series Call My Agent! is finally in post-production after years of stalled development, with the original cast reportedly returning. The new project is expected to feature various celebrity cameos, including rumors of George Clooney and Eva Longoria’s participation.

• ‘God of War’

  The forthcoming God of War series, produced by Amazon and Sony TV, aims to weave together Greek and Norse mythologies in a sprawling narrative featuring large-scale battles. Pre-production is underway, and the show has already secured a two-season order, indicating significant investment in development.

• Scooby-Doo

  

  A live-action reboot of Scooby-Doo for Netflix is set to begin filming in 2026, with a focus on the gang’s origin story aimed at a teenage audience. The casting of key roles, including Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, and Fred, is already generating excitement.

• ‘Heat 2’

  

  Director Michael Mann is moving forward with Heat 2, which will feature established actors Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio. The narrative explores events occurring before and after the original film, promising to deepen the storyline surrounding the characters.

• ‘Spider-Man’ Films

  

  Multiple projects revolving around the Spider-Man universe are in various stages of development, including the animated feature Spider-Punk, which features Daniel Kaluuya as both star and co-writer. Additional animated films focusing on Venom and Spider-Woman are also reportedly in the works.

• ‘Ocean’s’ Film

  

  Negotiations are underway for Margot Robbie and Bradley Cooper to join the cast of the next installment in the Ocean’s franchise. Produced by Lee Isaac Chung, the project aims to bring back original stars like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon. Filming is expected to commence in fall 2026.

• ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ 6

  

  Discussions surrounding the sixth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean continue, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer hinting at the return of cast members alongside new characters. He noted that Johnny Depp could reprise his role, contingent on his satisfaction with the script. However, his return remains uncertain following past controversies.