The search for the next James Bond could soon be over, as the star-studded finalists are reportedly set to undergo a screen test this weekend.
According to several Deadline sources, the role of British agent 007, last portrayed by Daniel Craig, could be taken over by a select few high-profile British actors, including Callum Turner and Slow Horses star Jack Lowden.
Screen tests in London
The hopefuls will be in London and appear on camera for the tests, which will supposedly include three key elements: stunts, camera presence and dialogue.
While reports suggest that three to five actors are in the finals for the role, Sinners' Jack O'Connell and Wuthering Heights star Jacob Elordi are not testing, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Creative team behind the next 007 film
The upcoming 007 film is set to be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve for Amazon MGM Studios, which bought the rights to the iconic franchise in 2022 as part of a £6.9bn deal, with Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight behind the script.
The company paid more than £1bn last year for "creative control" from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the British-American heirs to the film producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and longtime stewards of the Bond films.
They previously stated: "The search for the next James Bond is under way. While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."
Patience urged by Amazon executive
In April, Amazon's head of film, Courtenay Valenti, urged fans to be patient for the casting announcement. The executive warned they would be prioritising caution and said: "I know you're all wondering when we're going to announce who's playing James Bond, don't get too excited.
"Please know that we're taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it's a responsibility we don't take lightly."
Villeneuve, a self-proclaimed "diehard Bond fan," said the opportunity to contribute to the beloved, star-studded franchise was what drew him away from the Dune franchise that has consumed the better part of a decade of his life.
Director's comments on Bond and Dune
Earlier this month, the filmmaker spoke on Dune: Messiah, which will premiere this December, and told Empire: "I said, 'Maybe it's a good idea to go back to this project, not out of nostalgia, not because I miss it, but the opposite – I'm tired of it'.
"I want to make sure that I will be severe with the material. That I will not be complacent," he said.
"I thought, 'When it's done, I need a very powerful rocket to pull me away from Arrakis,' when I was asked to do the next Bond, I said, 'Okay, this is what I need.'"
It has been over 20 years since the last full-screen test for Bond, in which Henry Cavill was reported to be a finalist, but the role eventually went to Craig, who first appeared in 2006's Casino Royale.
Speculation over the new frontrunner has increased in the past few months since Villeneuve was revealed as director in 2025. The film is still reportedly positioned for a 2028 release.
