James Bond producers have compiled a shortlist of 5-7 actors who will audition to become the next 007 in August, five years after Daniel Craig stepped down from the role. The shortlist includes familiar names such as Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson, with producers planning a fresh round of screen tests this summer to find their ideal spy.
Denis Villeneuve to direct 26th Bond film
Dune director Denis Villeneuve is set to helm the 26th official Bond adventure, and sources say he has been "calling talent directly" to discuss the role. The casting process is being overseen by new casting director Nina Gold, who joined the project in April and has been meeting with hopefuls over several weeks.
A source told Deadline: "They expect producers to cast a wide net, the exact number of actors is unknown with some sources saying between 5-7, while others said in the teens." The meetings with Nina Gold were for lesser-known names to determine if they should be added to the list of prominent actors expected to receive a call for the next round.
Callum Turner leads the odds
Callum Turner, who recently married Dua Lipa, remains the firm favorite with bookmakers William Hill at even odds. George Clooney has expressed support for Turner, saying, "I think he would be a great Bond." Turner himself has kept a low profile, calling the Bond rumors "amusing."
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, known for Kick-Ass, is currently the second favorite, while a new name, Scott Rose-Marsh, has entered the fray with odds of 8/1. Rose-Marsh, from Southampton, is best known for television dramas such as BBC's Chloe and The Outlaws, as well as the film Krays: Code of Silence.
Amazon MGM takes creative control
Amazon MGM officially gained full creative control over the James Bond franchise last year from long-time stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The last Bond film, No Time To Die, was released in 2021, and producers are hopeful that production on the next installment will begin in 2027.
