The race to become the next James Bond has reportedly narrowed to three actors who will face their final screen tests in the coming days.
Bosses at the Amazon MGM Studio have been hunting for a new star to front the superspy franchise since Daniel Craig stepped down after the release of No Time To Die in 2021 and auditions are believed to have taken place over the summer with actors including Jack Barton, Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson said to have been in the running.
Now new reports suggest the list has been narrowed to three candidates - Slow Horses star Lowden, Callum Turner and one unnamed actor.
The shortlist was reported by Jeff Sneider at The InSneider as well as World Of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy, who wrote: "A few weeks ago, I was told that the race to become the next James Bond had narrowed to three names: Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and an undisclosed third actor.
"I couldn't publish it then. Now that Jeff Sneider at The InSneider is also reporting Lowden and Elordi as finalists, the cat's out of the bag, so here we are.
"What I'm hearing is that an announcement could come anytime between the last week of October and early November. That's soon."
Ruimy suggests Elordi is Amazon's favourite while Lowden is the more traditional choice for the role, however, the new film's director Dennis Villeneuve may be backing the unnamed third actor as his "wild card".
The insider adedd: "Elordi is fresh-ish, but he's not British and he's not unknown. Lowden is British but will be pushing 37 when cameras roll.
"And then there's that third name, the mystery actor, who I'm told has barely been speculated about and who could be Villeneuve's wild card if he decides to go against the grain."
Variety has also reported the casting process is close to its conclusion and the final screen tests will be taking place in the coming days ahead of an official announcement.
The publication suggests the final screen tests could be kicking off on Friday (23.10.26) and the article claims Turner is still in the running to be Bond.
Variety reported: "The crowning of the next James Bond is upon us. Final screen tests for Amazon MGM Studios‘ new 007 are set to happen in the next week ... beginning as early as Friday.
"Though who exactly will test is up in the air, Callum Turner and Jack Lowden appear to be in the mix."