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We're in the final stretch, as Amazon MGM Studios are reportedly setting their final auditions for the casting of the new 007 this weekend and next week.
According to various reports, the race to find the next James Bond actor is now down to the final three. Or four.
One report from an industry insider revealed that the shortlist only has three names.
“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,” said World Of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy. “What I’m hearing is that an announcement could come anytime between the last week of October and early November.”
Jeff Sneider at The InSneider has claimed that Elordi and Lowden are among the actors who have recently completed screen tests for the role.
In contrast, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that neither Jack O’Connell (Danny Boyle's favourite for 007) nor Elordi will be testing.
Elsewhere, sources have told Deadline that four test offers have been given out to Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor – with no mention of Elordi. The identity of the fourth actor remains a mystery – even if many are speculating that Jack Barton is still in the running.
Josh O'Connor is the wildcard here, as his name has not been mentioned as being amongst the favourites for 007. The star of Challengers, Wake Up Dead Man (in which he shared the screen with former James Bond actor Daniel Craig) and Disclosure Day has proven he has the acting chops, and he could be an interesting left-field turn for 007.
Speculation continues, but as we reported earlier this week, considering the shocking cliffhanger ending of the popular Apple TV show Slow Horses, signs look promising when it comes to Jack Lowden – who seems to be the common denominator of all the recent insider reports.
The 36-year-old Scottish actor is best known for playing River Cartwright in Slow Horses but has been seen on the big screen in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and Benediction (2021). He will appear later this year as Mr Darcy in Netflix's new adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice".
Earlier this year, Euronews Culture reported that the official casting for Bond was underway and that Lowden would be an ideal candidate for the 007 mantle.
We wrote regarding Lowden: " Spy credentials? Check. Charisma levels? Suit him up. Pre-existing rapport with the casting director? Done. Married to Saoirse Ronan who has previously expressed an interest in being cast as a Bond villain? Make this happen."
An exact timeline for finalizing casting is not known. What we do know is that it's happening this year, as Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal revealed in August that "the end of the year is a good bet" for the official announcement.
“We are being really, really methodical," said Pascal in August. "Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, 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.”
Bond 26 will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve and is being written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. It will be the first Bond film since Amazon took full creative control over the franchise from longtime 007 custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.
Production on the next Bond film is expected to kick off in 2027, with a release planned for 2028.