The Daily Mail says the 36-year-old arrived at Bray Studios on Friday for his audition. Amazon MGM has not confirmed it, and reports differ on who else is in the final round.
Callum Turner was the first actor to take a screen test to play James Bond on Friday, according to the Daily Mail. The 36-year-old reportedly arrived at Bray Studios in Berkshire as bosses narrow their choice for Daniel Craig’s successor. A source told the paper: “Daniel Craig’s replacement has been years in the making and Callum was called to have his chance to impress the bosses.” They added: “The next three days are going to be very interesting indeed.”
Who is in the running
The Daily Mail names Slow Horses star Jack Lowden and The Crown’s Josh O’Connor, both 36, as Mr Turner’s main rivals. It also names the Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 29, whose inclusion it says would anger die-hard fans who believe Bond should be played by a Briton. The paper says between three and five actors are understood to have reached the final stage, and that screen tests are said to be taking place over the weekend.
Reports differ on Mr Elordi. According to the research notes, TheWrap says he is no longer being considered in the final round, which conflicts with the Mail’s account. TheWrap also says at least four actors were invited, three of them Mr Turner, Mr Lowden and Mr O’Connor, and that the fourth has not been identified. Jack O’Connell has reportedly missed out, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Speculation about Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal and Jack Barton is unconfirmed. Variety reports that auditions may run into next week, so the process might not end on Sunday.
Amazon MGM has not confirmed that Mr Turner completed his test or when he arrived. The claim comes from the Daily Mail and has been repeated by Bond specialist outlets.
Mr Turner, who married the pop star Dua Lipa earlier this year, has long been seen as the frontrunner. The paper says his meeting with studio chiefs spells the end of a search for Mr Craig’s replacement lasting almost a decade, though the casting is not yet decided. Bookmakers’ odds are not insider information. According to the notes, William Hill had Mr Lowden at 8/13, Mr Turner at 3/1 and Mr O’Connor at 7/1 on Friday lunchtime.
What the tests involve
Bray Studios is a historic production house on the River Thames, home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Amazon MGM Studios, which now controls the Bond franchise, bought it in 2024.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, as relayed by other outlets in the notes, the final tests will assess stunts and physical performance, on-camera presence and dialogue delivery. The material used in the tests has not been made public.
The timetable
Bond producer Amy Pascal said in August: “I would say the end of the year is a good bet.” Casting by December would let Amazon MGM begin filming in 2027. Dune director Denis Villeneuve is taking on the project, and Amazon announced in May that the casting process was under way. The research notes say Nina Gold is leading casting. The first audition round reportedly took place in August with Mr Villeneuve, Ms Pascal and fellow producer David Heyman.
Steven Knight told Greatest Hits Radio that he finished a first draft of the screenplay by September. The story, setting, villain and cast have not been disclosed, and he has not said whether the script was written for a particular actor. In September, Gary Oldman appeared to suggest the part had already been cast, and was thought to be hinting at his Slow Horses co-star Mr Lowden. He later said he did not know who had been chosen and had only heard a rumour.
