The long-running James Bond franchise is currently undergoing a major reinvention to establish a new 007 following Daniel Craig’s widely celebrated era, which spanned five blockbuster films, from Casino Royale in 2006 to No Time to Die in 2021. Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that auditions for James Bond 26 are currently underway, with acclaimed casting director Nina Gold (known for Game of Thrones and The Crown) spearheading the search. The studio is reportedly searching for an actor in his 30s to take on the lead role, supporting a multi-film commitment that could potentially carry the series for the next decade.
Several names have been in the mix for the highly coveted lead role, although some actors have already ruled themselves out of the running. Fans are divided on who they want to see don the tuxedo next, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jacob Elordi are two of the most frequently cited, along with Callum Turner, who is the current frontrunner and hot favorite, holding top odds to succeed Craig as 007. However, the new James Bond has yet to be formally announced, so at this stage, it remains unclear who will be playing the iconic British spy – but one of the biggest contenders has confirmed their current casting status.
After reports emerged earlier this year that Turner had let slip “the worst-kept secret” that he had been chosen to lead the beloved action franchise into the next era, the Fantastic Beasts alum played it decidedly coy when he recently addressed the James Bond buzz in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The 36-year-old British actor dismissed the rampant 007 casting rumors, insisting that he genuinely “knows nothing” about the selection process and that he finds the constant speculation regarding his involvement “amusing.”
“I know as much as you do – really, I know as much as you do… I’ll tell you what’s so funny about the Bond thing: Even your best friends ask you, people text you that you haven’t spoken to for 10 years — and you know nothing! It’s such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.”
Turner flatly refused to even comment on whether he would even be interested in taking on the iconic role. However, his frontrunner status received a massive boost when Hollywood icon George Clooney, who famously directed Turner in the 2023 sports drama The Boys in the Boat, publicly endorsed the actor. The Ocean’s star told THR that he fully supports Turner in the James Bond 26 gig, declaring: “I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond. He’s tall and handsome and charming and British, so he’s the perfect guy to do it.”
Rumors have also suggested that Turner is a top choice for director Denis Villeneuve, who is directing the upcoming reboot from a script by Steven Knight, who has already teased that the new era will be led by a “better, stronger, and bolder” protagonist. It is also heavily speculated that James Bond 26 will explore the character’s origin story, specifically the time before earning his famous “Double-O” status. However, Turner’s involvement could also enable a mind-blowing franchise-first that could completely disrupt the timeline.
It shouldn’t be long before these tidbits start turning into hard truths, as Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that development on the next era of the 007 saga has kicked into high gear. There is no official release date yet and principal photography is not expected to start until early 2027, as Villeneueve must first complete his press and production responsibilities for Dune: Messiah, which is scheduled to open in theaters this December. Consequently, a theatrical release in late 2028 or 2029 is likely to be the target for James Bond 26.
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