![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/holly_chatter_853\/82a8aad4ac2beb8049920f616ebfc2c9.jpeg\"\/)
Are final James Bond screen tests really happening?<\/p>\nThe search for the next James Bond may finally be approaching its last round. Final screen tests have reportedly begun in London, with Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor among the actors linked to the coveted role.<\/p>\n
Deadline previously reported that testing could begin as early as Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, and continue into the following week. Amazon MGM Studios has not publicly confirmed the candidates, leaving Daniel Craig’s successor officially unannounced.<\/p>\n
There’s also a coincidence among the reported contenders: Lowden, Turner and O’Connor are all 36. Five years after Craig’s final Bond film, No Time to Die, the franchise’s next chapter is taking shape under director Denis Villeneuve.<\/p>\n
Are final James Bond screen tests really happening?<\/p>\n
Final screen tests for the next James Bond film have reportedly begun in London. Amazon MGM Studios has not officially announced the finalists, although current trade reporting says actors are now undergoing the final testing process.<\/p>\n
The auditions reportedly assess stunt work, camera presence and dialogue delivery. Industry reports have differed on the number of candidates, with estimates ranging from 3 to 5 actors involved in the testing process.<\/p>\n
Deadline reported at least 4 screen-test offers, including offers involving Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor. Variety also identified Lowden and Turner as contenders while stressing that the complete lineup had not been confirmed.<\/p>\n
Who are the leading contenders for the James Bond reboot?<\/p>\n
Jack Lowden has one immediately recognizable advantage: he’s already accustomed to playing an intelligence officer. The Scottish actor portrays River Cartwright in Apple TV’s Slow Horses, where his character works within the world of British intelligence alongside Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb.<\/p>\n
River’s assignments are considerably less glamorous than Bond’s international adventures, but the series has demonstrated Lowden’s ability to handle suspense, action and understated comedy.<\/p>\n
Callum Turner offers a different screen presence. The London-born actor appeared as Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts franchise and starred in Apple’s World War II drama Masters of the Air. His credits also include The Capture and Emma.<\/p>\n
Turner’s combination of period drama, romantic roles and large-scale productions has kept him in the Bond conversation throughout 2026.<\/p>\n
Josh O’Connor has followed another path. He earned widespread recognition portraying Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown and later starred opposite Zendaya and Mike Faist in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.<\/p>\n
O’Connor may be a less conventional choice for viewers who picture Bond as a polished action hero. All 3 actors, however, have experience portraying complicated characters, even if their previous roles offer no guarantee of how they would approach 007.<\/p>\n
Their reported candidacies suggest Amazon MGM’s current Bond search includes actors beyond traditional action stars, widening the range of possible choices.<\/p>\n
What have Jack Lowden and Callum Turner said about the rumors?<\/p>\n
Gary Oldman fueled speculation about Jack Lowden during a September appearance on Canada’s The Morning Show, suggesting a Bond decision had been made. He later clarified that he did not know which actor was selected.<\/p>\n
Lowden’s wife, Saoirse Ronan, also addressed the rumors, saying Bond talk was not dominating their household. Callum Turner was similarly cautious when asked about the role while promoting Rosebush Pruning in Berlin.<\/p>\n
Turner answered that it was “very early” to discuss Bond speculation. His relationship with Dua Lipa has also fueled theme-song chatter, but neither Turner’s casting nor any future Bond collaboration involving Lipa has been confirmed.<\/p>\n
![\"Callum](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/holly_chatter_853\/ba1c5e9a3c1b69f395810f55a2338946.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Featureflash\/Depositphotos<\/p>\n
Who is directing the new James Bond movie?<\/p>\n
One part of the new Bond era is firmly established: Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film for Amazon MGM Studios. The filmmaker behind Dune, Arrival, Sicario and Blade Runner 2049 was announced in June 2025.<\/p>\n
Villeneuve has spoken about growing up with Bond movies, particularly Sean Connery’s portrayal of the character. In his official statement, he called the franchise “sacred territory” and said he intends to honor its traditions while opening the way for new missions.<\/p>\n
The screenplay comes from Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders. Knight’s film credits include Eastern Promises, Locke and Spencer, giving the project a writer with substantial experience in crime and character-driven drama.<\/p>\n
Amy Pascal is producing the film alongside David Heyman, while casting director Nina Gold is reportedly overseeing the search for the next 007.<\/p>\n
The team brings experienced filmmakers to the first Bond movie being developed under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative control. Villeneuve’s previous work does not establish the style of his Bond film, and the studio has not revealed its plot, setting or continuity.<\/p>\n
Why does this James Bond casting decision matter so much?<\/p>\n
Daniel Craig’s final Bond appearance came in 2021’s No Time to Die, ending a five-film run that began with Casino Royale in 2006. His era emphasized personal stakes, relationships and a more vulnerable Bond.<\/p>\n
The franchise has handled major actor changes before, from Sean Connery and Roger Moore to Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. This transition also follows Amazon MGM Studios gaining creative control of the Bond franchise in 2025.<\/p>\n
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson had guided the series for decades. Amazon MGM now leads its creative direction, but the studio has not confirmed whether the next film will reboot Bond’s origin or establish separate continuity.<\/p>\n
Is Jacob Elordi still being considered for James Bond?<\/p>\n
Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell were previously linked to the Bond role, but recent reports indicate neither is participating in the latest screen tests. Elordi is known for Euphoria and Frankenstein, while O’Connell appeared in Sinners.<\/p>\n
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have also been linked to Bond speculation, but neither has been officially announced as Daniel Craig’s successor. The latest reports narrow the field without confirming Amazon MGM Studios’ final casting decision.<\/p>\n
When will the next James Bond actor be announced?<\/p>\n
Amazon MGM Studios hasn’t announced a date for revealing the next 007. Producer Amy Pascal previously said the end of 2026 was “a good bet” for an announcement, although that remains an expectation rather than a confirmed deadline.<\/p>\n
The upcoming movie still lacks an official title, a confirmed Bond actor, and a theatrical release date. For now, the most substantial development is that final screen tests have reportedly begun in London after years of casting speculation.<\/p>\n
Whether Lowden, Turner, O’Connor or another performer ultimately receives the role, Amazon MGM has not publicly confirmed Daniel Craig’s successor. Until that announcement arrives, the identity of the next James Bond remains unknown.<\/p>\n