Film industry insiders are increasingly convinced that Callum Turner has landed the role of the next James Bond, although no official casting announcement has been made.
Turner reportedly attended a screen test at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Friday, October 30. The auditions are understood to have taken place over the weekend, with between three and five actors invited to test for the part.
The latest speculation follows reports that the casting process had been narrowed to three candidates: Turner, Jacob Elordi, and Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden. Turner recently appeared in the New York City romantic comedy One Night Only.
The Sun also reported that Turner had stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, the production company he founded with his wife, Dua Lipa, last year. The move has been interpreted as a possible sign that he is preparing for a major new professional commitment.
A source cited by the publication said: “Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers.”
Turner became a bookmakers’ favourite for the role in December last year. Coral gave him odds of 7-4 to succeed Daniel Craig, placing him ahead of actors including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill.
The search for Craig’s replacement officially began in May. Craig left the role after appearing as Bond in 2021’s No Time To Die, concluding a 15-year run as the character.
Amy Pascal, who is producing the next Bond film for Amazon, has said that the new 007 will be cast by the end of 2026. She described the process as “really, really methodical” and said the successor would need to bring something “really different” and exciting to the franchise.
Tom Holland has reportedly been unable to pursue the role because of his Marvel contract, while Taron Egerton has ruled himself out. Turner and Elordi have both avoided questions about their possible involvement. Gary Oldman has also claimed that the new Bond has already been cast and has backed his Slow Horses co-star Lowden.
The next film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight. It will be the first James Bond movie since Amazon took over the franchise in February 2025. House Of The Dragon actor Ewan Mitchell has also reportedly been considered for the role of the next film’s villain.
Sources: NME.