Josh O'Connor's castmates have reportedly claimed that the actor has been offered the role of James Bond. The revelation allegedly came during a night out following the conclusion of their play, "Golden Boy," at the Almeida Theatre in London, according to a report in The Sun.
One of O'Connor's fellow actors from "Golden Boy" is said to have confided in a stranger at The French House pub in Soho, revealing that O'Connor had been offered the part. The source relayed that the actor had shared the news with his castmates during celebratory drinks after their final performance on Halloween.
This reported casting news comes despite O'Connor's recent statements suggesting he plans to take a break from work in 2027. When asked about the possibility of taking over the iconic role from Daniel Craig, the 36-year-old actor stated, "No, no, no. We'll see but I doubt it." He added, "I'm doing something in January, but then yeah, I'm taking some time out." O'Connor, known for his role as Prince Charles in "The Crown," has also recently starred in "Challengers" and is set to appear in "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."
Reports had previously narrowed down the potential Bond candidates to a shortlist of three: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Joe Alwyn. O'Connor was not mentioned in this shortlist. Ladbrokes currently lists Jack Lowden as the front-runner, with Callum Turner following closely. O'Connor is listed at 8/1 odds.
Lowden has previously commented on the Bond rumors, telling GQ Hype that while flattered, he believes his future career path lies more in directing than acting. Turner, another front-runner, recently resigned as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, a company he co-founded with his wife, Dua Lipa, which has fueled speculation about his availability for the Bond role.
Casting for the next James Bond is anticipated by December, with filming for the subsequent movie potentially beginning in 2027, according to industry timelines. Representatives for Josh O'Connor have been contacted for comment.