Amazon MGM Studios Schedules Final Screen Tests for Bond 26
Amazon MGM Studios scheduled final camera tests in London to determine the next actor to play James Bond, Deadline reported on October 22, 2026. The studio set the auditions to run from Friday through the following week after schedule conflicts among the finalists pushed the trials back from early October. At least four performers received formal offers for the screen tests, evaluating action sequences, dialogue delivery, and on-camera presence.
Three Finalists Confirmed for the Iconic 007 Role
Three actors confirmed by Deadline and other trades for the final casting stage include Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor. Josh O’Connor is the most prominent name among the three, known for playing Prince Charles in The Crown and appearing in Challengers, according to CBR.com via Infobae. Callum Turner starred in Masters of the Air and The Boys in the Boat. Jack Lowden earned two Emmy nominations for his work in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses. A fourth candidate remains unnamed by the trades, though The Hollywood Reporter ruled out Jack O’Connell and Jacob Elordi despite prior speculation linking them to the project.
Creative Leadership Guiding the New James Bond Era
Denis Villeneuve directs the upcoming film, provisionally titled Bond 26, working from a script written by Steven Knight. Amy Pascal and David Heyman produce and supervise the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios, which acquired total creative control of 007 in February 2025 after purchasing rights from the Broccoli family, Infobae reported. Casting director Nina Gold worked on the project, helping to narrow down the list of candidates to find the ideal profile for the role.
Studio Expects Casting Announcement Before End of 2026
While studio executives anticipate announcing the final selection before the end of 2026, no official release date exists for Bond 26. IGN noted that Daniel Craig previously voiced support for Josh O’Connor, jokingly claiming to have started rumors about his casting. Amazon declined specific comments on the current casting process, pointing instead to a previous statement confirming that the search remains underway.