It’s the final countdown for James Bond as four actors will reportedly take a final screen test this weekend.
However, one major name is missing from the list of hopefuls.
Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor are three of the four actors reportedly set to audition in front of casting bosses again ahead of a final decision on who will next occupy the British spy’s famous tux.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the final set of screen tests will take place in London this weekend and could start as soon as today.
The fourth actor has not been revealed, and it’s possible a fifth actor will take part in the final part of the process. However, sources say it is not former frontrunner Jacob Elordi.
The Euphoria star was a hot favourite to step into the role after stunning successes in recent years, with films including Saltburn and Wuthering Heights.
Elordi, 29, recently brushed off the Bond rumours with a smile while promoting his latest movie The Dog Stars, quipping that he was in London for a holiday, not to meet with 007 bosses.
In 2023, he was asked how it felt to have his name in the hat, and told Extra: ‘Oh my goodness, wow. That’s beautiful.
‘I just like that people maybe want to put me in their movies. That makes me really glad.’
Slow Horses star Lowden, 36, has long been the bookies’ favourite to replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role.
However, the buzz really ramped up after his co-star Gary Oldman suggested he had most definitely been shortlisted.
‘We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him,’ Oldman told Canada’s Global. ‘They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.’
Lowden’s wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, then attempted to pour some cold water on the rumours and said Oldman ‘thinks he’s James Bond, which is its own thing.’
She added to AP: ‘We’re kind of getting on with our life, to be honest. We have plenty of other things to be dealing with. So, yeah, it’s not really a subject that’s coming up in our house, to be honest.
‘The dog needs to be walked, the dinner needs to be made — we’re most focused on that.’
One theory that has floated about for months is that The Capture actor Turner would play Bond with his popstar wife, Dua Lipa, singing the new theme song. Meanwhile, Challengers star O’Connor has proven to be a more divisive choice with fans of the franchise questioning whether he’s the right fit for the tux.
With the casting process in its final stretch, another familiar name has re-entered the race.
Game of Thrones star James Madden was an early frontrunner at the peak of his TV fame and, according to bookies, he’s a strong contender for the gig once again, bringing Bond back to his Scottish roots.
Denis Villeneuve will direct the next Bond film with Amazon MGM Studios taking the helm of the franchise.
When approached about the screen test reports, they told THR: ‘The search for the next James Bond is underway. 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.’