Callum Turner Leads James Bond Screen Tests as Search Narrows
Actor Callum Turner is the first contender to audition for the iconic role of James Bond as producers finalize their selection.
The protracted search for the next actor to portray James Bond has entered its final stages, with Callum Turner undergoing screen tests for the coveted role. Turner, known for his roles in "Fantastic Beasts" and "The Emma," auditioned on Friday at Bray Studios in Berkshire, a historic production house now owned by Amazon MGM Studios, which controls the Bond franchise.
Turner, 36, is among a shortlist of contenders vying to replace Daniel Craig. Sources indicate that the field is being narrowed down to the final three actors. Other prominent actors reportedly in contention include Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor, both 36, and an unnamed additional actor. Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 29, was previously linked to the role but is now said to be out of the running.
Producers have been deliberating the next Bond for six years, with Bond producer Amy Pascal previously stating in August that a decision could be expected by the end of the year. This timeline suggests that filming for the next installment could commence in 2027. The casting process, described as methodical by Pascal, aims to find a successor who can follow Craig's impactful tenure.
Denis Villeneuve, director of "Dune," is set to helm the upcoming Bond film, with Amazon MGM Studios officially announcing the casting process was underway in May. The role of James Bond has a storied history, with only six actors officially playing Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent in the film series: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.