Overview
- The studio held final screen tests at Bray and London studios in the week of Oct. 23–27 for a shortlist believed to include Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor plus an unnamed fourth performer.
- Multiple industry reports and bookmaker markets have identified Jack Lowden as the leading contender to succeed Daniel Craig.
- Casting is led by veteran casting director Nina Gold with Denis Villeneuve set to direct and Steven Knight writing, and producer Amy Pascal has said the studio would likely announce the new Bond by the end of 2026 with filming aimed for 2027.
- Amazon MGM has kept parts of the final round confidential, including the identity of a mystery tester seen leaving Bray, which has intensified fan sleuthing and media speculation about hidden candidates.
- After Amazon MGM’s acquisition of the franchise in 2024, the selected actor will likely face a multi‑project commitment and intense public scrutiny that could shape the franchise’s creative direction going forward.