The hunt for Daniel Craig’s 007 successor is officially afoot, with casting director Nina Gold leading the charge.
Set to be directed by the Oscar-nominated Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Prisoners) and scripted by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Eastern Promises), the 26th James Bond flick will mark the emergence of a slick new spy in the field for His Majesty’s Secret Service.
Jacob Elordi (Euphoria), Callum Turner (Rose of Nevada), Harris Dickinson (Babygirl) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later) fill the small pool of obvious choices right now, but there’s realistically no telling who Gold will ultimately present to the studio as her top contender.
In conversation with Deadline at a recent industry dinner, she revealed that the chosen actor must ‘ooze sex appeal’ amongst other requirements, including a young enough age to reprise the iconic character potentially four more times.
Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight is writing the next James Bond movie (Tara Ziemba/WireImage)
Amazon MGM Studios officially announced the opening of the Bond casting process just this week.
“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” it read.
Meanwhile, the company’s Head of Film, Courtenay Valenti, had this to tease while appearing at last month’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas: “I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond.
“Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
“What I can tell you is this: When you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team… you’re setting the stage for something that’s truly worthy of the Bond legacy.
“That film is coming, and when the time is right, we’ll have much more to share.”
Will Josh O’Connor seal the 007 deal? (Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage)
One young performer yet to be seriously mentioned in the debate is Josh O’Connor – standout cast member of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Only Seth Abramovitch of The Hollywood Reporter has been bold enough to throw the 35-year-old’s name into the ring.
“It will be an English actor poised on the cusp of superstardom — familiar to audiences but not too familiar, with a seductive smile, ease with a tossed-off one-liner and charisma to spare,” he wrote. “The next James Bond will be Josh O’Connor.
“Bond series producer Barbara Broccoli has always led from the gut, not caved to popular opinion. Lest we forget, the fair-haired Craig was considered a highly controversial choice when he was first announced in 2005.”
O’Connor’s already stellar career has seen him unite with visionaries such as Steven Spielberg (for this summer’s Disclosure Day), Luca Guadagnino (Challengers), Rian Johnson (Knives Out), Stephen Frears (Florence Foster Jenkins) and Joel Coen (the upcoming Jack of Spades).