An unlikely new contender has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next iconic antagonist in the James Bond franchise, and it's a face familiar to fans of business reality television.
Kevin O'Leary, the venture capitalist famously known as 'Mr. Wonderful' on Shark Tank, has publicly expressed his desire to play a villain opposite the new 007. This revelation comes hot on the heels of his critically praised performance in the award-season favourite Marty Supreme, released in January 2026.
From Boardroom to Big Screen: A Non-Actor's Breakout
In a bold casting move, writer-director Josh Safdie chose O'Leary, a non-actor, to star alongside Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Odessa A'zion. The 71-year-old, who sold his software company to Mattel for $4.2 billion (£3.1bn), plays millionaire pen magnate Milton Rockwell.
O'Leary told Variety that the experience has given him the acting bug. 'I've definitely caught the bug, and I want to see how diverse I can be in terms of what roles I play,' he said. However, one role has been a lifelong ambition: 'My whole life, since I was a teenager, I've wanted to be the bad guy in a Bond movie. I want to blow s**t up. I could blow a lot of s**t up.'
Why Mr. Wonderful Makes a Perfect Baddie
For those who have seen Marty Supreme, the pitch makes surprising sense. O'Leary's turn as the irate, entitled Milton showcases a natural capacity for villainy. In one memorable scene, he gleefully paddles Chalamet's bare behind with a table tennis bat.
O'Leary revealed that both TV producer Mark Burnett (who recruited him for Shark Tank in 2009) and Safdie used the same pitch: 'We're looking for a real a**hole.' The investor's aggressive TV persona translated seamlessly to a character full of viciousness and ego—key traits for any great Bond antagonist.
'It was easy to beat Chalamet up,' O'Leary admitted, 'because he was that arrogant little b*****d right out of the gate.'
A Sadistic Streak Fit for SPECTRE
O'Leary's villainous instincts apparently ran deeper than the script required. He aired his displeasure with the film's happy ending, revealing an alternative climax he envisioned: Milton literally biting Marty.
'They went as far as to make digital teeth,' O'Leary said of Safdie and co-writer Ronald Bronstein, before they decided against it. 'I know that sounds nuts, but to me that would be the right punishment.' This sadistic creativity further underscores his potential to craft a truly memorable Bond foe.
While the roles of both the new James Bond and his next adversary remain officially vacant, rumours are swirling. Callum Turner is currently the hot favourite to take over the 007 mantle, with Denis Villeneuve set to direct Bond 26 from a script by Steven Knight.
Whether Eon Productions will consider this unconventional but compelling candidate remains to be seen. But after Marty Supreme, one thing is clear: Kevin O'Leary has proven he can deliver a performance with the chilling entitlement and ruthless energy worthy of a world-class villain.
