The search for Daniel Craig’s successor is entering a crucial phase, with final screen tests expected to begin this weekend. At least four actors have reportedly received test offers, but Amazon MGM Studios has yet to announce its choice.
The race to become the next James Bond is heating up, and Hollywood may finally be getting closer to finding its new 007. After months of auditions, meetings and speculation, Amazon MGM Studios is preparing for a final round of screen tests that could determine who takes over one of cinema’s most recognisable roles.
British actors Callum Turner and Jack Lowden are among the names reportedly being considered, while Josh O’Connor has also emerged as a potential contender.
According to Deadline, at least four actors have received offers to screen test, with Turner, Lowden and O’Connor believed to be three of them.
The tests could begin as early as Friday, October 23, and continue into the following week.
Who Could Be the Next James Bond?
The latest casting developments have brought three actors into sharper focus, but there is still no confirmed frontrunner.
Callum Turner is among the names attracting attention as the selection process approaches its final stage. The actor, whose recent credits include the romantic comedy One Night Only, has been linked to the upcoming screen tests.
Jack Lowden, known for his work in Slow Horses, is another reported contender. His name has appeared in both Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter’s coverage of the final casting process.
Josh O’Connor is also understood to be in contention. Deadline has identified him as one of three actors expected to test for the role.
There is also greater clarity surrounding two other names previously associated with the casting conversation. Jack O’Connell, who appeared in Sinners, was reportedly considered earlier but is no longer believed to be involved.
What Will the Final James Bond Auditions Involve?
The upcoming screen tests are expected to examine more than whether an actor looks convincing in a tuxedo.
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that the assessment will involve three areas: stunt work, on-camera presence and dialogue delivery.
These elements could give the filmmakers a clearer picture of how each candidate handles the physical demands and performance requirements of the character.
The final tests were initially planned for earlier in October but were reportedly postponed because of scheduling conflicts involving the actors. The revised timetable is intended to allow the remaining candidates to be assessed around the same period.
Even if the auditions conclude next week, a casting announcement is not guaranteed immediately.
When Will the Next James Bond Be Announced?
Amazon MGM Studios has not announced a date for revealing the next 007.
The studio has also avoided discussing individual contenders publicly.
In a statement previously shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon said:
“The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
That leaves the casting race open, even as the selection process reaches its final stages.
Denis Villeneuve Will Direct the Next James Bond Film
Whoever becomes the new Bond will work with a creative team that has already begun taking shape.
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct the upcoming film, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has been brought in to write the screenplay, with casting director Nina Gold overseeing the search for the lead actor.
The project follows a major change in the franchise’s management. In February 2025, Amazon MGM Studios secured creative control of James Bond from the Broccoli family, putting the company in charge of shaping the character’s next cinematic chapter.
Since then, the studio has concentrated on building the filmmaking team and finding an actor capable of carrying the franchise forward.
Who Will Replace Daniel Craig as 007?
The next casting decision will mark a significant moment for James Bond, following Daniel Craig’s departure from the role.
Craig took up the role of the British secret agent in 2006’s Casino Royale and finished with 2021’s No Time to Die.
The next actor taking the role will be taking up a character who has had many incarnations over the years, each actor giving their own interpretation of the character.
A significant precedent exists for the rigorous selection process involved. One such actor who was in the fray, along with others, but did not get the part was Henry Cavill almost two decades ago.
The current casting race is therefore far from settled.
Turner, Lowden and O’Connor may be among the actors closest to landing the role, but a screen test is only one step towards securing it.
With auditions approaching and a decision potentially coming before the year ends, the biggest unanswered question surrounding the next James Bond film is no longer simply when the search will end.
It is which actor will finally be handed the licence to kill.
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