The producers of the new James Bond film have reached a decisive stage of the selection, and three actors appear among the finalists: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the final tests were scheduled to begin on the weekend of October 23–25 and continue this week. The producers have not officially confirmed the names of the finalists, and the information reached the press from sources close to the process.
Jack Lowden, 36, is known for his role in the spy series Slow Horses, in which he plays a British agent involved in dangerous missions. His experience in action scenes and his ability to combine tension with humour place him among the favourites of the selection, according to the specialised press. Callum Turner, also 36, became known thanks to the series Masters of the Air and the Fantastic Beasts films. The British actor, husband of singer Dua Lipa, has been mentioned several times as a possible successor to Daniel Craig. Josh O'Connor, known for playing Prince Charles in The Crown and for his role in Challengers, represents a less conventional choice. The actor has stood out for complex and vulnerable characters, different from the traditional image of agent 007.
The selection involves more than assessing acting talent. Candidates must demonstrate that they can credibly perform action scenes, including fights and stunts, and that they can convey the character's personality in dialogue. Another test looks at on-screen presence, as the producers seek an actor capable of conveying authority and charisma. The choice also takes into account availability for a long-term professional commitment, since the selected actor could play the character for more than a decade, becoming one of the most recognisable figures in world cinema. According to press reports, at least four actors were invited to the final tests, and the identity of one of the candidates is not publicly known.
Two well-known actors are said to have dropped out of the race. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jacob Elordi, known for Euphoria, and Jack O'Connell, one of the actors in Sinners, are not among those invited to the final tests. The process is coordinated by casting director Nina Gold, together with director Denis Villeneuve, known for the Dune series, and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
This is the first selection for the James Bond role after Amazon MGM took creative control of the series from the Broccoli family in 2025. Daniel Craig played the character in five films, the last being No Time to Die, released in 2021. The new film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, and its release is expected in 2028 at the earliest. Amazon MGM has not announced an official date for naming the successor, although the specialised press anticipates that the decision could be made public before the end of 2026. Until then, the names of the finalists remain unconfirmed, and the entire discussion about the future agent 007 depends on the outcome of these final tests.