By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR and DOLLY BUSBY
Published: | Updated:
A mystery star arrived at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Saturday as the James Bond screen tests continued.
Callum Turner kicked off the screen tests for 007 on Friday as bosses whittle their choice down to the final three contenders.
The 36-year-old faces tough competition from Slow Horses star, Jack Lowden, the Crown’s Josh O’Connor and rumoured Wuthering Heights actor Jacob Elordi, despite earlier reports he was out of the running.
Security gathered to escort a Mercedes out of Bray Studios on Saturday afternoon, with speculation high it was an actor who had arrived to audition for the role.
Screen tests are said to be taking place throughout this weekend, with between three and five actors understood to have reached the last stages of the process.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Daniel Craig’s replacement has been years in the making and Callum was called today to have his chance to impress the bosses. The next three days are going to be very interesting indeed.'
A mystery star arrived at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Saturday as the James Bond screen tests continued
Callum Turner kicked off the screen tests for 007 on Friday as bosses whittle their choice down to the final three contenders
Bray Studios is a historic production house on the River Thames, home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios, which now controls the Bond franchise, in 2024.
Callum's meeting with chiefs spells the end of almost a decade-long search to replace Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous spy.
The Emma actor, who married the popstar Dua Lipa earlier this year, has long been the front-runner for the role.
Scottish actor Jack and Josh, both 36, are more recent names to be thrown into the ring and the Australian star Jacob, 29, in the running will no doubt anger die-hard fans who believe Bond should be played by a Brit.
Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal in August said: 'I would say the end of the year is a good bet.'
Casting by December would allow Amazon MGM Studios to start filming the next movie in 2027.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve, who is taking on the project and bosses at Amazon, announced in May that the casting process was underway.
Ms Pascal said: 'We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.
Security gathered to escort a Mercedes out of Bray Studios on Saturday afternoon, with speculation high it was an actor who had arrived to audition for the role
The 36-year-old faces tough competition from Slow Horses star, Jack Lowden (left) and the Crown’s Josh O’Connor (right)
Wuthering Heights actor Jacob Elordi is also rumoured to be auditioning despite earlier reports he was out of the running
Screen tests are said to be taking place throughout this weekend, with between three and five actors understood to have reached the last stages of the process
Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King's Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes' Jack Barton
Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent 007 in the official film series
Bray Studios is a historic production house on the River Thames, home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios
Daniel Craig officially stepped down as James Bond in October 2021 following the theatrical release of his fifth and final 007 film, No Time to Die
And it's got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.’
Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King's Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes' Jack Barton.
Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent 007 in the official film series – Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.