The casting of the next James Bond has entered the home straight. According to our American colleagues at Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios is lining up the final screen tests for the actors still in contention to take on the role of 007, with a decision expected before the end of the year. Three names have already leaked: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor. The identity of the fourth candidate remains unknown for now. The tests are due to run from this Friday into next week. They had been scheduled for earlier in October, but scheduling clashes forced the production to rework its calendar. The studio hasn't set a date to announce its choice, though Deadline's sources expect the name of the next James Bond to be known before the year is out.
Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor in the home straight
Jack Lowden has been cropping up in conversations about the next 007 for several weeks now. The 36-year-old British actor, best known for his role in Slow Horses, can also count on the backing of Gary Oldman, his on-screen partner. Back in September, Oldman even hinted in an interview that the choice had already been made, before backtracking. In the meantime, Lowden can be seen in Netflix's Pride and Prejudice series — a chance to weigh up his performance and look for any common ground with agent 007.
Callum Turner is also among the favourites, and the internet has been chanting his name across social media. Breaking out in Green Room, the 36-year-old actor has appeared in the series 'Masters of the Air' and in 'The Boys in the Boat', directed by George Clooney. Clooney, for his part, has made no secret of wanting to see him slip into the secret agent's tux, reckoning he has everything the role needs. Turner has also been in the headlines in recent months for his marriage to singer Dua Lipa, and the many paparazzi shots from their honeymoon. Which gave everyone a good look at just how ripped he is.
The third name confirmed by Deadline's sources is Josh O'Connor. Also 36, he already boasts a packed filmography, including Challengers, La Chimera, The Mastermind, Wake Up Dead Man and, most recently, Disclosure Days, the latest Steven Spielberg. He also shared the screen with Daniel Craig in 'Knives Out 3', which may well have given him the chance to pick up a few tips from the former James Bond.
Who is the fourth candidate?
That's the question still hanging in the air. Over the past few months, several actors have been floated as Daniel Craig's successor, among them Louis Partridge, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson. Paul Mescal was also mentioned, but the actor — who plays John Lennon in Sam Mendes's upcoming Beatles film — reportedly pulled out of the running in July. For now, there's nothing to tell us whether the fourth candidate is one of those names or an actor who hasn't been publicly mentioned yet. Either way, the search for the next James Bond began last spring, with the arrival of casting director Nina Gold. After several months of meetings and a first round of auditions in August, Amazon MGM Studios, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, and director Denis Villeneuve have gradually whittled down the list.
One last reminder before we wrap up: the next instalment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, from a script by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. James Bond 26 is set to shoot in 2027, for a cinema release in 2028. Which, honestly, will come round fast.
