The search for the next James Bond has narrowed to five actors, with final screen tests held in late October 2026 and an announcement expected before the end of the year. The five reported finalists are Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Nicholas Hoult and Robert Pattinson, according to reports, and two of them are said to have already tested for the role in London. Amazon MGM Studios has declined to comment, and no casting has been confirmed.
The role has been empty since Daniel Craig stepped down after No Time To Die in 2021, having played 007 in five films over 15 years. The next James Bond film will be the 26th official entry in the series and the first made under Amazon MGM’s oversight, after Amazon paid for control of the franchise. Denis Villeneuve will direct, and Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, is writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing.
James Bond finalists and screen tests
Reports say the final screen tests took place in London in late October. Robert Pattinson, 40, reportedly tested over the weekend of October 24, according to trade publications, with The Hollywood Reporter first reporting his test and TheWrap reporting it independently. Nicholas Hoult is also reported to have tested. Neither actor has confirmed taking part, and the studio has not published a shortlist or named a preferred candidate.
The three other reported finalists are Jack Lowden, 36, known for Slow Horses; Josh O’Connor, 36, known for The Crown and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery; and Callum Turner, 36, known for Masters of the Air. Reports have also linked Harry Styles, who is said to have held discussions about the part, and Theo James, who has reportedly not been ruled out. The studio has not confirmed any of those names, and the full list of actors who tested has not been made public. The list stays open until the studio confirms a choice.
James Bond director teases the announcement
Villeneuve gave the speculation fresh energy at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Art+Film Gala on November 7. Near the end of his acceptance speech, he told guests he would disclose the identity of the new 007 at once, then broke off with a smile and said producer Amy Pascal was close to having a heart attack. The casting stayed unconfirmed, and the moment spread quickly through film news coverage.
Pascal told Deadline in August that an announcement of the next James Bond towards the end of 2026 was a reasonable expectation, saying the producers were being methodical about the choice. Gary Oldman has claimed a selection has already been made, but there has been no official announcement to support that, and Amazon has declined to comment on the reports.
Production plans for the next film
The next film is expected to enter production in 2027, with a possible theatrical release in 2028, according to reports. Neither the production schedule nor the release date has been officially confirmed. The next James Bond film is the first in the series to be made since Amazon took creative control, and the choice of actor will set the tone for the franchise for years to come. Villeneuve’s previous films include Dune, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.
Pattinson’s reported test adds a twist to the James Bond race. He worked with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Three, which is due for release on December 18, and he beat Hoult to the role of Batman years ago. Hoult now plays Lex Luthor in the DC films and is expected in Man of Tomorrow, due in 2027. Lowden, O’Connor and Turner are all British actors in their mid-30s, close to the age Craig was when he took the role.
What happens next for James Bond
For now, the five reported James Bond finalists wait alongside the producers. The screen tests are done, the director has joked about the announcement in public, and the producers have said the decision should come before the year ends. Until Amazon MGM Studios names its choice, the race to replace Craig stays open.