Final James Bond screen tests are underway in the U.K. after starting as early as Friday, and they’re expected to continue through this week, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. The tests mark the last major step before Amazon MGM Studios selects the actor who will carry the 007 franchise forward under director Denis Villeneuve.
Jack Lowden and Callum Turner are reportedly among the actors screen testing for the role, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and IGN. Deadline reported that at least four test offers have gone out and that, while not confirmed, three of the four actors expected to test are Lowden, Turner and Josh O’Connor. TheWrap also named O’Connor as a finalist. The fourth actor’s identity has not been made public.
What happened with the James Bond screen tests
The screen tests are the final stage of a casting process that began in the spring, when Amazon MGM brought on casting director Nina Gold and auditions got underway. Deadline reported in June that another round of tests was planned for August, and it said the final tests were originally due in early October before scheduling conflicts pushed them back.
This round is reportedly built around three components: stunts, camera presence and dialogue. The Daily Mail reported that Turner tested first on Friday at Bray Studios in Berkshire, England, which Amazon MGM acquired in 2024, with Lowden and O’Connor expected to follow over the weekend.
Villeneuve is directing the new Bond film from a script by “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing for Amazon MGM Studios. The studio took creative control of the franchise in February 2025 through a joint venture with longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who still co-own the 007 intellectual property.
What it means for the next Bond announcement
There’s still no firm date for an announcement. Deadline reported there is no timeline for a final decision, though those involved expect a new Bond to be chosen by the end of the year. IGN reported the announcement could come in November or December. When casting began, Amazon MGM said it didn’t plan to comment on specific details during the process but would share more news with 007 fans when the time was right.
Lowden appears to be a favorite among fans, with online polls putting the “Slow Horses” star ahead of Turner and O’Connor, though no official decision has been made. The script for the new film is already completed, according to IGN, and the project will follow Villeneuve’s work on “Dune: Part Three,” which opens Dec. 18. That puts a potential release in late 2028 if production begins next year.
Background and context
The casting search has drawn wide attention since Amazon MGM Studios took over creative control of the franchise, a shift that ended more than six decades of the Broccoli family overseeing Bond productions. Gold’s involvement since spring places the search in the hands of an Oscar-nominated casting director whose credits include “Game of Thrones,” “The Crown” and the recent “Star Wars” films.
Amazon MGM has not publicly confirmed any of the actors involved, and the fourth actor who received a test offer remains unidentified.
What’s next
The screen tests are expected to wrap this week. Amazon MGM Studios has not set a date for its casting announcement, with reports pointing to a decision by the end of the year. Fans will also be watching for any update on when production might begin, since that timeline could affect the film’s targeted late 2028 release.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
