A Southampton-born actor, best known for portraying a senior royal, has reportedly been named as the next James Bond by a co-star after a "few glasses of lager". Hollywood has been buzzing with speculation over recent months as 007 producers narrow down their shortlist for the highly sought-after lead role, with anticipation building for the as-yet-untitled Bond 26.
Among those rumoured to be in contention to succeed Daniel Craig — whose final outing as the MI6 spy came in 2021's No Time to Die — are Masters Of The Air's Callum Turner, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, West End performer Tom Francis, and Frankenstein's Jacob Elordi.
Co-star's 'blurted out' claim
No official confirmation has been forthcoming, yet word has it that Josh O'Connor has secured the part — according to an indiscreet theatre pal. Josh, who portrayed Charles in the Netflix drama The Crown, has most recently appeared in Golden Boy at the Almeida Theatre in Islington.
A source told The Sun: "I bumped into one of Josh's Golden Boy cast mates at The French House. They were recognised by a lot of people who asked for selfies and we got chatting in a corner completely by accident.
"Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond. I said it was pure speculation, but they were insistent it was Josh."
"They said that he had confided in them about getting the role when the cast of Golden Boy had celebratory drinks after the play finished its run on Halloween."
Praise from colleagues
They went on to say they were "very proud" of their friend for allegedly landing the role, and of what it "would mean" for his career.
Josh's fellow The Crown cast member Olivia Colman has previously spoken glowingly about the actor, noting that he demonstrated "fragility, sparkle, strength, doubt" throughout the series, adding that she "loved watching him" — and she is far from the only notable figure to sing his praises.
Daniel Craig put him forward for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Director Rian Johnson told Digital Spy: "He was an amazing discovery for me because I hadn't been familiar really with his work, and then Daniel brought him to my attention.
"Daniel knew him through Luca [Guadagnino], who directed Challengers and Queer, and so I watched Challengers and I was just like, 'Oh my god, this guy jumps off the screen'.
"And then I watched La Chimera and saw him do something equally as powerful, but in a totally different mode."
Casting news expected by end of year
Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director behind Sicario and Blade Runner 2049, has been chosen to direct the newest instalment. Producer Amy Pascal told Deadline that casting news is expected by the "end of the year".
She said: "I would say the end of the year is a good bet. We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.
"And it's got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different."
