Only six actors have played James Bond in the official films, and a seventh could be picked from a shortlist of about four men screen-testing right now. The search for the next James Bond has reached its final stage. According to Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios began final screen tests late last week, and Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor are reportedly among the finalists. The name of the fourth candidate is still a mystery.
It's the biggest casting decision in Hollywood since Daniel Craig was announced in 2005, and it's the first under Amazon's full control of the franchise. Below we cover who is reportedly testing, what a Bond screen test involves, who appears to be out, the team making the decision, and the timeline everyone is now watching.
Key Takeaways
- Final screen tests for Bond 26 began around Friday, October 23, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
- At least four test offers went out. Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor are reportedly three of the finalists.
- Tests reportedly cover stunts, camera presence and dialogue.
- Producer Amy Pascal said the "end of the year is a good bet" for news, but Deadline says there's no set timeline.
- Denis Villeneuve directs from a script by Steven Knight; the film is reportedly due in 2028.
Who Could Be the Next James Bond? The Reported Finalists
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On October 22, Deadline's Justin Kroll reported that "at least four test offers have been given out" and that, while unconfirmed, "three of the four expected to test are Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor." The BBC, citing The Hollywood Reporter, said between three and five actors are understood to have reached the last stage. Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed any names.
Jack Lowden
The Scottish actor is best known for "Slow Horses," the Apple TV spy series, which gives him obvious spy credentials. According to the BBC, Variety suggested Lowden may now be "edging ahead," though no outlet has reported a decision.
Callum Turner
Turner starred in "Masters of the Air" and has been linked to Bond for much of this year. Variety said Turner and Lowden "appear to be in the mix." Some fans have even joked that his wife, Dua Lipa, could sing the theme song. A Cover Media report on Yahoo said Turner was the first to test on Friday.
Josh O'Connor
O'Connor is best known for playing Prince Charles in "The Crown." As the BBC noted, he also starred alongside Daniel Craig in 2025's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," which gives him a curious link to the last Bond.
The mystery fourth man
The fourth finalist remains unnamed. That has started plenty of online guessing, but until a trustworthy outlet reports a name, it's safest to treat any claim as rumor. We'll be watching for confirmed reports.
Who Appears to Be Out of the Race
Many actors have been linked to Bond over the years, but reports now suggest several are no longer in the running:
- Jacob Elordi, the "Euphoria" and "Wuthering Heights" star, is not thought to be testing, per the BBC's summary of Deadline's reporting.
- Jack O'Connell had been thought to be in the mix, but sources said that may no longer be the case.
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Norton and Paul Mescal were all linked to the role in earlier years but are not among the reported finalists.
- Harris Dickinson and Jack Barton were also previously mentioned in the conversation.
Reports differ in their details, and Amazon has said nothing official. Bond casting has always attracted speculation. The last time around, Henry Cavill said he was told it came down to him and Craig. "I was the younger option," Cavill told the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2022, adding that he probably "wasn't ready at the time."
What Happens in a James Bond Screen Test?
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A Bond screen test is far more than a short audition tape. According to the BBC, this year's finalists face tests with three parts: stunts, camera presence and dialogue. That covers the physical demands, the screen charisma and the ability to deliver the character's lines.
The BBC's Lizo Mzimba reported in September that "no expense is spared" in making sure the filmmakers know exactly how each actor will look on screen. As the 007 team has explained before, "Bond screen tests are elaborate affairs involving hair and make-up, costumes, sets, and other actors."
The Cover Media report said the tests are taking place at Bray Studios in Berkshire, England. Deadline reported that the tests were originally planned for earlier in October but were moved to the end of the month because of scheduling conflicts, so all the finalists could test around the same time.
The Team Choosing the Next 007
This is the first Bond film made under Amazon's full creative control. Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion in 2021, which included distribution rights to Bond, and it reportedly paid at least $20 million more to take creative control of the franchise's future. Longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson had guided the series for decades before that change.
The people now in charge are:
- Amy Pascal and David Heyman, producers. Pascal ran Sony Pictures during the Craig era, and Heyman produced the Harry Potter films.
- Denis Villeneuve, director. The "Dune" and "Arrival" filmmaker was named to direct in 2025, as Reuters reported.
- Steven Knight, writer. The "Peaky Blinders" creator said in September that his first draft is finished.
- Nina Gold, casting director, who joined in the spring when the search officially began.
- Tanya Lapointe, executive producer.
Pascal has made clear the team isn't rushing. "We are being really, really methodical," she told Deadline in August. "Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow... And it's got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different."
Knight has sounded equally excited. "I'm absolutely loving doing it. It's an honour to be asked," he told Greatest Hits Radio. "I really do believe it's going to be amazing."
How Past Bond Actors Got the Role
A look back shows how unusual this moment is. Each new Bond has arrived at a turning point for the series:
- Sean Connery launched the film series with "Dr. No" in 1962, when he was still a little-known Scottish actor.
- George Lazenby, an Australian model with almost no acting experience, played Bond only once, in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
- Roger Moore took over in 1973's "Live and Let Die" and made seven official Bond films, more than any other actor.
- Timothy Dalton brought a darker, more serious tone in 1987's "The Living Daylights."
- Pierce Brosnan returned Bond to theaters with "GoldenEye" in 1995, after a six-year gap.
- Daniel Craig was announced in 2005 and debuted in 2006's "Casino Royale," a reboot that many fans initially doubted.
The pattern is worth noting. The franchise has often picked actors who were not the biggest stars at the time, and it has used new castings to change the tone of the series. Craig's casting drew heavy criticism at first, yet "Casino Royale" is now widely considered one of the best Bond films. Whoever wins this round will face similar scrutiny from the moment his name is announced.
What to Watch for Next
Over the coming weeks, a few signs will show whether the search is nearly over:
- The end of the tests. Deadline expected the tests to wrap this week. Any reports that they're finished will mean the decision stage has begun.
- The fourth name. If a credible outlet identifies the mystery finalist, it could change how people view the race.
- Official word from Amazon MGM. So far, the studio hasn't commented. A formal announcement would come from the studio, not from fan sites or social media.
- Villeneuve's schedule. With "Dune: Part Three" out in December, the director's availability will shape when cameras roll.
When Will the Next James Bond Be Announced?
There's no official date. Deadline says "there is no timeline for when a final decision will be made, though most believe it will come by end of the year." That matches Pascal's August comment that the "end of the year is a good bet."
Here's the timeline so far, based on Deadline's and the BBC's reporting:
- 2021: Amazon buys MGM for $8.5 billion.
- 2025: Amazon MGM takes full creative control. Pascal and Heyman join as producers, Villeneuve is named director, and Knight is hired to write.
- Spring 2026: Nina Gold joins and the casting search officially begins.
- August 2026: First-round auditions take place.
- September 2026: The shortlist is cut and test offers are worked out. Knight finishes his first draft.
- October 23, 2026 onward: Final screen tests begin.
- Late 2026 (expected): Possible announcement of the new Bond.
- 2028 (reported): Release of Bond 26.
Production is expected to start after Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Three" reaches theaters in December, according to The Independent. If you're tracking what's coming to theaters before then, our guide to upcoming movies for November and December 2026 has the full slate.
Why This Bond Casting Matters So Much
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Only six actors have played 007 in the official series: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Craig played Bond for 15 years and five films, ending with 2021's "No Time to Die." By the time Bond 26 arrives, the gap between films could be around seven years, the longest in the franchise's history.
The new actor will likely be expected to commit to several films over many years, and to carry one of the most valuable franchises in movies for Amazon. That's why every report of a screen test attracts so much attention.
The choice also signals what kind of Bond Amazon wants. Lowden brings a grounded, spy-thriller feel. Turner brings classic leading-man looks and war-drama experience. O'Connor is known for subtle, character-driven performances. Each points to a different version of 007.
Moviegoers aren't short on big releases while they wait. This past weekend, "Clayface" led the box office with about $24 million and "You Can See Everything" added about $19.5 million, according to Box Office Mojo. Here's what to know about Clayface, why You Can See Everything became a surprise hit, and our full list of November 2026 movie release dates.
FAQ
Who is the next James Bond?
No actor has been officially announced. Final screen tests began in late October 2026, and Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor are reportedly among about four finalists.
When will the new James Bond be announced?
There's no official date. Producer Amy Pascal said the "end of the year is a good bet," and Deadline reports that most insiders expect a decision by the end of 2026.
Who is directing Bond 26?
Denis Villeneuve, the director of "Dune," is directing. Steven Knight, the creator of "Peaky Blinders," is writing the script.
When does the next James Bond movie come out?
No official release date has been announced, but the film is reportedly expected in 2028.
Who has played James Bond?
Six actors in the official series: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Featured image: DeFacto / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (with text overlay added by Trend Ranker).
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