Film industry insiders are increasingly convinced that Callum Turner has landed the hotly contested role as the next James Bond.
Last month, it was reported that the lengthy 007 casting process had been whittled down to three actors: Jacob Elordi, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, and an unnamed third actor.
Now, it has reported that Turner, who recently starred in the New York City rom-com One Night Only, checked in at Bray Studios in Berkshire for a screen test on Friday (October 30). The 007 screen tests are understood to have taken place over the weekend, with between three and five actors being called in to audition.
It has also been noticed by The Sun that Turner has stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, a production company he founded last year with his wife, Dua Lipa. This could be interpreted as a signal that he is clearing his slate ahead of a career-making Bond move. The departing 007, Daniel Craig was the longest-serving Bond ever with a 15-year stint in the role.
A source told the publication: “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.”
In December of last year, Turner emerged as a bookie’s favourite for the coveted role, with bookmaker Coral saying that he had 7-4 odds to succeed Craig, ahead of the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill.
The search for the new 007 officially began in May of this year and since then, numerous actors have been tipped to become Daniel raig’s replacement, after he bowed out in 2021’s No Time To Die.
Amy Pascal, who’s producing the new James Bond film at Amazon, has said the new 007 will be cast by the end of 2026. “We are being really, really methodical. I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different,” she added.
According to reports, Tom Holland is unable to pursue the role due to his Marvel contract, while Taron Egerton ruled himself out. Turner has previously dodged red carpet questions about his involvement in the project, as has Elordi. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman has claimed that the new James Bond has already been cast, and has backed his Slow Horses co-star Lowden for the role.
It’s also been reported that Bond bosses are looking at House Of The Dragon’s Ewan Mitchell as the villain for the next film.
The next instalment in the long-running spy franchise is being directed by Denis Villeneuve, and written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight. It’ll be the first James Bond film since Amazon took over the franchise in February 2025.