Director Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold are reportedly nearing a decision on who will play the next James Bond, with actor Jack Barton emerging as a strong contender. Barton, who has had minor roles in "Poor Things" and the television series "SAS: Rogue Heroes" and "Heartstopper," is said to be the current frontrunner.
Sources indicate that screen tests for a slate of more established actors are scheduled to begin in early September. This list of potential candidates includes Jack Lowden, known for his role in Apple's "Slow Horses," Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Harris Dickinson. Elordi has previously been noted for a Chanel advertisement that some interpreted as a soft audition for the iconic role.
The debate continues regarding whether the next Bond should be a newcomer or a recognizable star. Debbie McWilliams, the longtime casting director for the James Bond franchise who cast Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig, previously expressed her belief that the role should go to an unknown actor. In June, she told The Independent that it is "absolutely essential" for Bond to remain an enigma, suggesting that audiences know too little about the personal lives of well-known actors.
Information on Jack Barton is limited, with a sparse Wikipedia page noting his attendance at the Oxford School of Drama. He is reportedly represented by the same UK publicists as Daniel Craig.
Amazon, which is involved in the production, declined to comment specifically on the casting process. In May, the company released a statement indicating that the search for the next James Bond is ongoing and that more news would be shared with fans at the appropriate time.