In a few weeks, it will have been three years since Daniel Craig’s fifth and final 007 movie, No Time To Die, had its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall.

As fans await an official announcement of the new James Bond, some 007 insiders and experts have shared their latest predictions.

According to The Telegraph, the earliest Bond 26 will hit cinemas is probably late 2026 but could be as late as 2028.

Speaking with those in the know, there is “no script, no title, not even a director”, but a few contenders for the latter have been “summoned” to EON Productions HQ in London for “a first round of speed dates”.

The setting and the source material for the reboot after the death of Craig’s Bond are yet to be chosen and so is the new 007. However, there may be more than meets the eye to those Aaron Taylor-Johnson rumours.

EON Productions has a history of sorting the script and director, alongside the feel of the reboot (gritty like Craig or lighter like Brosnan?), before casting a new Bond to fit the newly decided mould.

After all, Martin Campbell – who previously spoke with Express.co.uk about Henry Cavill’s Casino Royale audition almost 20 years ago – was hired before casting began, so he could be part of the conversation.

As for the new Bond, The Sun previously reported in March that Taylor-Johnson had been “formally offered the role” and the 34-year-old actor has certainly played it coy when asked about the matter in interviews.

According to Professor James Chapman, author of Licence To Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, it could just be a rumour, but it may also be an official one. Here’s what he means by that.

Chapman said: “A rumour, but possibly an official rumour – a testing of the waters by EON, just to see what the public reaction would be”.

If anything the reaction has been very good given that Taylor-Johnson is the right age to start the role and has proven himself with action parts with comic quips from Kick-Ass and Bullet Train to the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.

Global James Bond Day is on October 5, here’s hoping there will be some official news then maybe?