Final James Bond Screen Tests Set to Begin, With Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor Reported Among Finalists

Final screen tests to choose the next actor to play James Bond are expected to begin as early as Friday, Oct. 23, and continue into next week, with Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor among the actors reported to be taking part, according to accounts published Thursday, Oct. 22, by several entertainment trade outlets. Amazon MGM Studios, which now oversees the franchise, has not confirmed any of the names.

Deadline's Justin Kroll reported that at least four test offers have been given out and that, while unconfirmed, insiders say three of the four expected to test are Lowden, Turner and O'Connor. Deadline said the tests could begin as early as Friday and run through the next week, and that Amazon MGM Studios could not be reached for comment.

In a separate report by Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter said, citing several sources, that Turner and Lowden are in the mix for the screen tests, which are taking place in London. Sources told THR at least three actors are involved, while another source said up to five may test.

What the tests involve

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the tests are understood to be comprehensive, and sources say they have three components: stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Deadline reported that the tests were originally planned for earlier in October but were moved to the end of the month because of scheduling conflicts among the finalists, so that they could take place around the same time.

TheWrap, in a story by Umberto Gonzalez, also reported that Lowden, Turner and O'Connor have test offers, along with an unidentified fourth actor, and that the screen tests begin Friday and run through next week. TheWrap credited Deadline with first reporting the news and said Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment.

Variety's Ellise Shafer reported that final screen tests are set to happen in the next week, beginning as early as Friday, and that while it was not clear exactly who would test, Turner and Lowden "appear to be in the mix." Variety said representatives for Turner, Lowden and Amazon MGM did not immediately respond to its request for comment.

Who is reported to be out

The Hollywood Reporter said that Jack O'Connell, who appeared in "Sinners," was rumored to have initially been in the mix but that, according to its sources, this is apparently not the case. THR also reported that Jacob Elordi, the star of "Euphoria" and "Frankenstein," is not testing. TheWrap likewise reported that Elordi is not testing and is no longer in the mix.

Amazon had no comment to The Hollywood Reporter and pointed to a previous statement: "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."

The candidates

Variety reported that speculation about him intensified when his "Slow Horses" co-star Gary Oldman appeared to suggest that Lowden had made the shortlist, and that Lowden's wife, Saoirse Ronan, later said it is "not really a subject that's coming up in our house."

Turner, described by the BBC as a "Masters of the Air" star, was a favorite for the role earlier this year, Variety reported. Asked about the rumors while promoting "Rosebush Pruning" at the Berlin Film Festival in February, Turner said, "It's very early for that question," adding, "I'm not going to comment on it," according to Variety.

The BBC, in a report by culture reporter Helen Bushby, noted that O'Connor is best known for playing Prince Charles in "The Crown" and for starring opposite Daniel Craig in the 2025 film "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."

The new film and its timeline

"Dune" filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is directing the next Bond film, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing, according to The Hollywood Reporter. TheWrap reported that "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight was hired to write the screenplay for the 26th James Bond film, which will be the first installment since longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson ceded creative control of the franchise to the studio. TheWrap said the pair remain co-owners of the franchise.

Deadline reported that the search goes back to the spring, when the studio announced that casting director Nina Gold had joined the project. Deadline had reported that a first round of auditions would take place in August; since then, the studio, the producers and Villeneuve narrowed the list and worked out test offers in September.

No date has been set for an announcement. Deadline reported that there is no timeline for a final decision, though most believe it will come by the end of the year, and Variety said the expectation is that Amazon will name its next Bond before the end of the year. The BBC reported that Pascal told Deadline in August that the "end of the year is a good bet."

The Guardian reported that the film is still reportedly positioned for a 2028 release. The role has been vacant since Craig's final appearance as Bond in 2021's "No Time to Die." According to the BBC, only six actors have played the character in the official film series: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Craig.