As speculation over what to expect from the next James Bond installment ramps up, one US pop queen is an unexpected frontrunner in the race to sing the next theme song.
The James Bond franchise has an impressive legacy of featuring award-winning songs from some of the world’s biggest singers.
Madonna’s Die Another Day in 2002, Adele’s chart-soaring Skyfall and Billie Eilish’s Oscar-winning No Time To Die are just a handful of the iconic theme tunes the action series has produced over the years.
That’s not to mention Nancy Sinatra, Sam Smith, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Tom Jones.
And now lesbian pop icon Chappell Roan – who went through a stratospheric rise to fame in 2024 – could be joining the esteemed mix.
Following her surprise new single on SNL on Saturday, it’s clear her popularity is here to stay. As such she has crept to the top of the leaderboard as her odds were dropped to 2/1 by bookmakers.
BetIdeas.com spokesperson Lee Astley said the American superstar was now outpacing the likes of Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa (who are following hot on her heels at 5/2 each).
The Good Luck Babe hitmaker has never expressed interest in helming the franchise theme song, although a few fans have shared enthusiasm at the idea.
‘Never needed a woman James Bond before but maybe we deserve one so Chappell Roan can do the theme song… I feel like it would rock,’ @eleanorbabwin wrote on X.
And user @rynarichardkahn echoed: ‘Chappell Roan should do the theme for the next James Bond.’
The HOT TO GO! singer, 26, has certainly shown her range, debuting country anthems, club hits and touching ballads in her repertoire. Her music holds a special quality that could play into creating a Bond hit.
But the award-winning music artist has tough competition to land the coveted gig.
There’s also been increasing odds over global pop star Taylor Swift picking up the mantle from Billie, with Lee sharing: ‘Taylor has been a force to be reckoned with over the past year or so and her seven-award haul at the VMAs has her as a brand-new entry in the market to sing the next Bond theme song.’
And Lana has previously opened up about how a song she wrote for James Bond but was rejected in favour of another artist (likely Sam Smith for the 2015 film Spectre).
The Video Games singer revealed that it was her 2014 single 24, from her Honeymoon album, which was snubbed.
But the story could be very different if she gives it another go.
Other potential picks include Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Harry Styles who have all enjoyed huge success over the past couple of years. Sabrina herself has dominated the charts with hits such as Taste and Espresso.
Of course, the theme song is only one element that remains a mystery about the 26th Bond movie. The franchise is yet to about the suave British agent is also yet to announce the lead star taking over from Daniel Craig, the director or any plot details.
BetIdeas.com has pushed Barbie director up the rankings as the next filmmaker at 5/2, beaten only by Conclave’s Edward Berger.
As for the question on everyone’s lips – who will play the next 007 – we are no closer to our answer.
Queer star Daniel has made his stance on the matter clear after brutally declaring: ‘I don’t care’ when asked who we would love to see play the role.
In the meantime, Hollywood actors such as Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Callum Turner and Rege-Jean Page are high-up on the list of desired stars.
And Blitz actor Saoirse Ronan has even put herself forward to play a baddie in the next installment.
‘‘I would like to do something big and shiny. ‘I’d love to do that’,’ she told the LA Times.