Amazon MGM Studios is setting final screen tests for the next James Bond, with actors Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor among those expected to audition for the role of 007, as reported.
Auditions Take Place in London
The screen tests were reported to take place in London over the weekend, according to reports. While initial schedules pointed to tests earlier in the month, scheduling conflicts pushed the sessions to the end of the month so the finalists could test around the same time, according to Deadline. The auditions could begin as early as Friday and continue into next week, with sources stating they could begin as early as Friday according to two sources.
Industry reports differ slightly on the exact size of the final testing group. Deadline reports that at least four test offers were extended. Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor appear across multiple trade publications as confirmed participants, with outlets noting a fourth mystery candidate whose identity remains unconfirmed.
Amazon MGM Studios Takes Creative Control
The search for a new 007 represents a major operational shift for the franchise following Amazon MGM Studios’ buyout of creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson previously steered the series through Daniel Craig’s five-film tenure, which concluded with 2021’s No Time to Die.
Under the new studio structure, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman oversee the franchise. They tapped Denis Villeneuve to direct the upcoming film and brought in Steven Knight to write the screenplay. Knight discussed the parameters of the project on BBC Radio 4, noting that writing for the franchise requires adhering to established universe rules while moving the character forward. Knight stated, It does make life a little bit easier if you know who that person is, but also you have to write the character, not the actor,
and added, The thing with Bond is it’s its own universe, and it’s its own franchise. So there are certain rules.
He further noted, I mean, obviously you have to move it along, but I love where it sits. I love that it’s British. I love that it’s not DC or Marvel… So I feel a responsibility to the text.
The process to find the next 007 goes back to the spring, when the studio announced casting director Nina Gold was joining the project and that the search was underway, followed by a first round of auditions in August and a cut to the final group in September.
Production Timeline and Remaining Questions
Although the current round of screen tests brings the casting process closer to a resolution, Amazon MGM Studios has not announced an official release date or a final casting decision. Amy Pascal stated during the summer that she expected an announcement before the end of the year, a timeline echoed by industry insiders following the current auditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 007 Casting Process
When will the studio announce the new James Bond actor?
Amazon MGM Studios has not set a formal date for the casting announcement. However, producer Amy Pascal indicated during the summer that an announcement is expected before the end of the year.
Who is directing and writing the next James Bond film?
Denis Villeneuve is directing the upcoming film, and Steven Knight is writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing the project for Amazon MGM Studios.
Which actors are participating in the final screen tests?
Industry outlets including Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter report that Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor are among the finalists participating in the London screen tests.
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