The hunt for the next James Bond has reached its final act. According to reports from Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter published October 22, Amazon MGM Studios has invited at least four actors to final screen tests for the role of 007 — and the tests are scheduled to begin this Friday, October 23, 2026, in London, running through next week.
After years of rumor-mill churn, this is the first time the casting process for Bond 26 has moved into a confirmed, decision-stage phase. The reports name three of the finalists expected to test: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor. A fourth invitee remains unidentified, and a final decision is expected before the end of the year.
The three finalists reportedly testing for 007
Jack Lowden, the Scottish actor best known as the jittery but capable River Cartwright on Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, is among the contenders. Lowden, who has also appeared in Dunkirk and Battlefield 1, would be only the second Scottish actor to play cinema’s most famous spy after Sean Connery — a neat symmetry, given that Ian Fleming’s original Bond was himself Scottish. The Hollywood Reporter independently confirms he is in the mix.
Callum Turner, star of Masters of the Air and The Capture, is another reported finalist. The British actor has been linked to the Bond conversation for the past year, and both trades place him among those testing. Turner has the classic-Bond silhouette — tall, dark, and already tested in prestige period drama — which has kept him near the top of fan-cast lists throughout the search.
Josh O’Connor is the wild card. The Emmy-winning The Crown star and Challengers lead hasn’t featured in most Bond speculation, and as The Playlist notes, O’Connor doesn’t exactly fit the traditional Fleming-mold profile — which is precisely what could make his test interesting. One caution: while Deadline names O’Connor among the testers, The Hollywood Reporter has not independently confirmed his participation.
Two big names are out
The trade reports also carry bad news for some fan favorites. The Hollywood Reporter says Jacob Elordi (Euphoria, Frankenstein) and Jack O’Connell (Sinners) will not be testing for the role. The Playlist adds that with at least four actors in the room, other long-rumored names like Jack Barton, Paul Mescal, and Harris Dickinson could still appear — but Elordi and O’Connell are reportedly done.
How we got here
Daniel Craig’s five-film tenure as Bond ended with No Time to Die in 2021 — more than half a decade ago. In the years since, Amazon MGM Studios took full creative control of the franchise from longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, hired Dune director Denis Villeneuve to helm the reboot, and brought on Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to write the script.
The casting search itself began in the spring, when Amazon MGM announced that Game of Thrones casting director Nina Gold would oversee the process. A first round of auditions took place in August, test offers went out in September, and the final screen tests — originally planned for earlier in October — were pushed to late October so the candidates could be tested side by side.
What happens next
According to the trade reports, the screen tests will assess three things: stunt work, dialogue, and on-camera presence — the essential trinity for a modern Bond. The resulting footage will be reviewed by Gold, Villeneuve, and producers Amy Pascal (Spider-Man) and David Heyman (Harry Potter).
There is no official timeline for an announcement, and Amazon MGM has declined to comment on individual candidates. But the consensus among the trades is that a decision will be made before the end of 2026. Bond 26 — the franchise’s 26th official film — has no release date yet, so whoever wins the tux will be waiting a while before the premiere.
FAQ: The next James Bond
Who is the new James Bond?
No official decision has been announced. Reported finalists for screen tests beginning October 23 are Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor, with one more unnamed actor also testing.
When will the next James Bond be announced?
Trade reports say a decision is expected before the end of 2026, but Amazon MGM has not set an official date.
Who is directing Bond 26?
Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, is attached to direct. Steven Knight wrote the script.
When does Bond 26 release?
No release date has been announced. With casting only now reaching its final stage, the film is unlikely to arrive before late 2028 at the earliest.
Is Jacob Elordi still in the running for James Bond?
No. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Elordi — along with Sinners star Jack O’Connell — is not among the actors testing for the role.