Jack Lowden Leads 62 Percent of Bookmaker Bets as Final James Bond Screentests Begin in London
Actors have entered the final round of screentests in London to determine who succeeds Daniel Craig as James Bond, with bookmakers giving Scottish actor Jack Lowden a 62 percent chance of securing the role. Lowden faces competition from fellow contenders Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor during auditions held around late October 2026, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline. Film studio Amazon MGM Studios has kept official details regarding the casting process strictly confidential.
Final London Auditions Test Stunt Skills and Acting Range
The final audition phase evaluates candidates on physical stunt requirements, camera presence, and dramatic versatility. According to BNR News Radio, prospective actors have been tasked with recreating classic scenes, including the meeting between Bond and Tatjana Romanova from From Russia With Love. Director Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on the Dune trilogy, is attached to helm the project, working from a completed screenplay written by Steven Knight.
The search follows Daniel Craig’s departure from the franchise after the release of No Time to Die in 2021. Industry observers note that the seven-year gap since the last James Bond film is relatively long, with the last full screentest process taking place over twenty years ago prior to Craig’s selection in 2006.
Bookmaker Odds and Final Contenders Contrast Traditional Casting
While public discussions frequently raised the possibility of casting a woman or an actor of color, the final shortlist consists of the named candidates. UK betting platforms compiled by Oddschecker place Jack Lowden as the clear frontrunner at 62 percent probability, followed by Callum Turner at 25 percent, alongside Josh O’Connor and Jacob Elordi, as reported by RTL Boulevard.
Jorrit van der Valk of the James Bond Club Nederland notes that Lowden currently plays a secret agent in the television series Slow Horses, providing a ready template for the character. Meanwhile, reports indicate that actors Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell are no longer actively participating in the final selection rounds. Alongside the male finalists, betting markets have also opened up regarding the next Bond-girl, with Margaret Qualley drawing 33 percent of bets, followed by Sydney Sweeney and Anya Taylor-Joy at 25 percent each, as well as Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Kate Winslet, and Margot Robbie.
Discussion around the casting has frequently touched on diversity, noting that figures like Damson Idris had been mentioned as a potential first Bond of color, while Sydney Sweeney’s name circulated prior to recent controversies involving a promotional advertisement. Van der Valk points out that franchise creator Ian Fleming originally envisioned the character as a white, British man around thirty years old with black hair, suggesting that female variations might better suit a spinoff such as Jane Bond, perhaps?
Among the recognized finalists, Josh O’Connor is noted for portraying Prince Charles in The Crown and has been described by de Volkskrant as an unusual
film star who shapes his roles pre-eminently through gestures and body posture
. Callum Turner brings film experience alongside media attention surrounding the search to cast the new James Bond. Furthermore, Van der Valk highlights that Lowden has previously appeared in art house classics including Triangle of Sadness and Halina Reijn’s internationally acclaimed feature Babygirl, countering assumptions that Bond casting relies entirely on appearance by stating, Anyone who thinks that the Bond actor is selected solely on his looks is mistaken, according to Van der Valk.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Bond 26
When will the new James Bond be officially announced?
Amazon MGM Studios has not announced an official date for the casting announcement, though trade publications report that final screentests take place in London through late October 2026.
Who is writing and directing the next film?
Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, has completed a script for the project, while Denis Villeneuve is signed on to direct the feature for Amazon MGM Studios.
When is the next James Bond film scheduled for release?
Fans hope that the new Bond film will be released in 2028, though studio representatives have not yet confirmed an official title or theatrical release schedule.
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