For almost five years, fans have been asking the same question: who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond? Now, the search for the next 007 is moving forward.
Amazon MGM has begun the casting process, with Nina Gold, whose credits include Game of Thrones, overseeing the search. The studio has not officially announced a shortlist, but several actors are being linked to the role as screen tests approach.
The next Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing.
With Craig’s five-film run ending with No Time to Die in 2021, the new casting decision will establish the direction of the franchise’s next era. The question is whether the studio will choose an actor who is already a major star or someone whose profile can grow alongside the role.

Photo – Instagram/@Callum Turner
Callum Turner is among the names most frequently linked to the role. The British actor has built his profile through projects including Masters of the Air and The Capture, and his recent work has put him firmly on Hollywood’s radar.
Turner has not confirmed that he is being considered for Bond, but reports have continued to place him among the contenders.

Photo – Getty Images
Scottish actor Jack Lowden is another reported contender. He is best known internationally for playing River Cartwright in Slow Horses, while his film credits include Dunkirk and Mary Queen of Scots.
Lowden’s name has become increasingly prominent in reports about the casting process, although neither he nor Amazon MGM has confirmed that he has been selected.

Photo – Getty Images
Jacob Elordi would be one of the biggest names associated with the role. The Australian actor rose to fame through Euphoria before taking on film roles in Saltburn, Priscilla and Frankenstein.
His inclusion in Bond speculation reflects the studio’s interest in actors with an established international profile. However, former Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams has previously said she would not favour Elordi, Callum Turner or Harris Dickinson because audiences already know them too well.
McWilliams’ view is notable because she was responsible for casting Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. She is no longer involved in the current casting process, however.

Photo – Columbia Pictures
Harris Dickinson has also been linked to the role. His credits include Triangle of Sadness, The Iron Claw and Babygirl, giving him experience across both independent films and larger productions.
Like Turner and Elordi, Dickinson has been mentioned in reports about the casting search, but there has been no official confirmation from Amazon MGM.

Photo – PA
Jack Barton is perhaps the least familiar name among the actors currently being discussed. His credits include Heartstopper, SAS: Rogue Heroes and Poor Things.
Recent reports have identified Barton as a surprise favourite, with screen tests expected to involve him alongside Lowden, Turner, Elordi, Dickinson and Paul Mescal. Amazon MGM has not confirmed that this is the official shortlist, so claims about a frontrunner should be treated as specudiscussionslation.
Barton would also fit McWilliams’ long-held preference for casting an actor who is lpnot already too closely associated with a string of major roles. Whether the current casting team shares that approach remains unknown.

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Bond speculation has produced a long list of possibilities over the years. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have repeatedly been linked to the role, while Theo James, James Norton and Regé-Jean Page have also featured in reports and fan .
Idris Elba has remained one of the most talked-about alternatives, although he has repeatedly indicated that he does not expect to become the next Bond.
At present, however, the more recent reports point towards Barton, Lowden, Turner, Elordi, Dickinson and Mescal as the actors to watch.
The choice will ultimately depend on what Amazon MGM and Villeneuve want from the character. Craig’s Bond brought a more grounded approach to 007, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006 and ending with No Time to Die. The next actor will inevitably be judged against that era, but the new film does not have to follow the same formula.
For now, there is no confirmed successor. What is clear is that the casting process has begun, and the shortlist is starting to take shape. If the latest reports prove accurate, the next James Bond could be one of several very different actors, with the final decision likely to determine the tone of the franchise for years to come.
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