The search for the next James Bond has reached a crucial stage, with final screen tests for Amazon MGM Studios’ new 007 reportedly expected to begin in London on Friday, October 23, and continue into the following week. Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor are among the actors reportedly in contention for the role, alongside an unnamed fourth candidate. Denis Villeneuve is directing the film, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay, and the casting decision will help shape the next chapter of one of cinema’s longest-running franchises.
The search for Daniel Craig’s successor is approaching a decisive stage for the first time since the actor concluded his run as Bond in No Time to Die in 2021. At least four actors have reportedly received screen-test offers, although Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed their identities. The eventual choice will introduce a new face to audiences and establish the direction of the franchise under its new creative leadership. Craig portrayed Bond across five films, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006 and concluding with No Time to Die.
Jack Lowden, the BAFTA-winning star of Slow Horses, brings experience playing an intelligence officer to the conversation. His portrayal of River Cartwright has already placed him in the world of espionage, although James Bond would require a different balance of authority, charm and action. Lowden’s other film credits include Dunkirk and Fighting with My Family. While his personal life has also attracted attention, his screen performances remain the more relevant measure of what he could bring to the role.
Callum Turner, known for Masters of the Air and One Night Only, is another reported contender. His screen career spans war drama, fantasy and romantic comedy, offering a varied background should he be selected to play the British secret agent. His other credits include The Boys in the Boat and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Turner has previously declined to comment on speculation surrounding the Bond role, saying during a discussion at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year that it was too early to address the question. His reported involvement in the latest stage of casting has renewed interest in his prospects, although his status has not been officially confirmed.
Josh O’Connor is also among the names linked to the casting process. His performances in The Crown and Challengers have established him as an actor capable of taking on layered and unpredictable characters. His reported involvement introduces another possibility for the franchise, with his screen persona offering a different potential approach to the character from the familiar image of a conventional action-film lead. However, the studio has not confirmed whether O’Connor is participating in the final screen tests.
The reported auditions are expected to assess more than an actor’s appearance in a tuxedo. The process is said to involve stunt work, camera presence and dialogue delivery. These tests can help filmmakers evaluate whether a candidate can handle the physical demands of the role, command attention on screen and deliver Bond’s dialogue convincingly. The assessments are particularly significant for a character whose appeal depends on a combination of action, intelligence, composure and personality.
Bond must be convincing in a fight, but the role also requires an actor who can sustain a scene when the action stops. The character’s intelligence, humour and ability to read a situation are as important to his identity as his physical skills. The casting process will therefore need to identify a performer who can carry both the action sequences and the quieter dramatic moments that have helped define the character across successive films.
The casting carries additional significance because the next film will be the first James Bond instalment developed since Amazon MGM Studios gained creative control of the franchise. The studio’s creative team includes Villeneuve as director, Knight as screenwriter, and Amy Pascal and David Heyman as producers. Casting director Nina Gold, whose credits include Game of Thrones and The Crown, is leading the search for the next 007.
The change in creative control followed a 2025 agreement involving longtime franchise stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who had overseen the series for decades. The arrangement marked a new phase for the franchise and placed Amazon MGM Studios at the centre of decisions concerning its future. Selecting Craig’s successor is among the most consequential steps in establishing that next phase, given the character’s longstanding position in popular cinema.
Villeneuve’s work on the Dune films demonstrates his experience in building large-scale cinematic worlds, while Knight’s Peaky Blinders is known for its hard-edged characters and tense conflicts. Their collaboration brings together filmmakers with experience in expansive visual storytelling and character-driven drama. Their involvement has generated interest in the direction of the next Bond film, although its tone, narrative and stylistic approach have not yet been officially outlined. The finished film’s identity will depend on the screenplay, casting and decisions made throughout production.
The timing of the casting announcement remains uncertain. Producer Amy Pascal has reportedly indicated that an announcement before the end of 2026 is a reasonable expectation, although no fixed date has been confirmed. The reported screen tests suggest that the selection process is progressing, but they do not necessarily mean that a final decision will follow immediately. Amazon MGM Studios has not announced the next Bond or confirmed the full list of actors being considered.
The next 007 will inherit a character shaped by generations of filmmakers and audiences. Craig’s tenure brought the character through five films, beginning with Casino Royale and ending with No Time to Die. Whoever takes over will face the challenge of establishing a distinct interpretation of Bond while retaining the qualities that have kept the franchise relevant across decades.
As the reported final screen tests approach, Lowden, Turner and O’Connor remain among the actors linked to the role, alongside an unnamed candidate. The identities of the confirmed screen-test participants, the final shortlist and the timing of the announcement remain unverified by the studio. The eventual decision will determine not only who wears the suit next, but also who leads James Bond into the franchise’s next chapter.
