Three Actors Vie for Bond as Final Screen Tests Begin

WHO:

BBC - Henry Cavill said in 2022 that he was told the Bond casting decision came down to him and Daniel Craig, with Cavill described as “the younger option.”

The Guardian - Steven Knight, the *Peaky Blinders* writer, is set to write the next Bond film’s script.

The Guardian - Amazon film head Courtenay Valenti said the company was taking care to make the casting decision with “deep respect,” calling the next chapter “the dream of a lifetime” and “a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”

The Hollywood Reporter - James Brolin, Sam Neill, Henry Cavill, Antony Starr, Rupert Friend, and Sam Worthington screen-tested for James Bond in earlier casting rounds.

The Hollywood Reporter - Amazon said, “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”

The Hollywood Reporter - Jack O’Connell was reportedly not testing, and Jacob Elordi was not testing despite reports to the contrary.

The Hollywood Reporter - Denis Villeneuve is directing the new Bond film; Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios.

Collider - Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor were reportedly among the actors testing for James Bond.

Variety - Amazon MGM Studios is associated with the new 007 film.

Variety - Callum Turner and Jack Lowden appear to be in contention to test for the role.

WHAT:

The Hollywood Reporter - Antony Starr tested for *Casino Royale* using the *GoldenEye* scene in his native New Zealand accent.

The Hollywood Reporter - Rupert Friend’s Bond test used the *GoldenEye* scene; his film résumé at the time included *The Libertine*.

The Hollywood Reporter - Sam Worthington was flown to London, fitted for a tuxedo, and screen-tested with *GoldenEye* material; he later said he could handle Bond’s physicality but struggled with the suave manner and accent.

The Guardian - Amazon acquired the Bond series rights in a deal valued at $8.45 billion (£6.9 billion) in 2022.

The Guardian - The film is reportedly positioned for release in 2028.

The Hollywood Reporter - Brolin tested over several days for the role in 1982, including a staged fight and a seduction scene from *From Russia With Love*; he nearly won the part before Roger Moore agreed to return.

The Hollywood Reporter - Sam Neill auditioned for *The Living Daylights* with the same *From Russia With Love* seduction scene used for Brolin; director John Glen reportedly favored Neill, but producer Cubby Broccoli was unconvinced, and Timothy Dalton got the role.

The Hollywood Reporter - Cavill’s 2005 audition for *Casino Royale* used a scene from *GoldenEye*. Director Martin Campbell later called his audition “tremendous” but said he was too young.

The Hollywood Reporter - Antony Starr, Rupert Friend, and Sam Worthington also tested for *Casino Royale* in 2005 using *GoldenEye* material. Worthington said he struggled with Bond’s suave manner and accent.

The Hollywood Reporter - Sources differed on the number of actors testing: at least three, according to some, and as many as five, according to another.

The Hollywood Reporter - Screen tests are understood to include three components: stunts, camera presence, and dialogue.

The Hollywood Reporter - Bond tests 20 years ago involved full hair and makeup, plus a full camera and sound crew on a set; Henry Cavill was among those vying for the role before Daniel Craig was selected.

The Hollywood Reporter - Amazon MGM Studios bought the Bond franchise’s creative rights from the Broccoli family.

Coming Soon - Four actors are expected to audition for James Bond, according to Deadline.

Collider - The James Bond casting search has reached its final stage and has reportedly narrowed to three actors.

Variety - Final screen tests for the next James Bond are planned.

WHERE:

The Hollywood Reporter - The article says the current screen tests are being held at Pinewood Studios.

The Hollywood Reporter - The screen tests are taking place in London.

WHEN:

The Hollywood Reporter - Brolin tested in 1982; Neill auditioned in 1986; Cavill, Starr, Friend, and Worthington tested in 2005.

Variety - The final screen tests are set to happen “in the next week,” beginning as early as “Friday.”

WHY:

The Hollywood Reporter - James Brolin nearly got the Bond role before Roger Moore agreed to return.

The Hollywood Reporter - Director John Glen reportedly favored Sam Neill for Bond, but producer Cubby Broccoli was unconvinced; Timothy Dalton got the role.

The Guardian - Denis Villeneuve said making the next Bond film would provide the “very powerful rocket” he needed to move on from Arrakis after *Dune: Messiah*.

HOW:

The Hollywood Reporter - James Brolin’s *Octopussy* audition included a specially staged fight to assess his physical abilities.

Coming Soon - The final auditions may begin as early as Friday and continue into the following week, according to Deadline.

Collider - Actors are being considered through screen tests.

Variety - Sources told Variety that the final screen tests are planned; the identities of the actors who will test remain uncertain.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 14:19 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond has reportedly reached final screen tests at Pinewood Studios in London, with accounts differing on whether three, four or five actors are involved. Callum Turner and Jack Lowden are among the names linked to testing, alongside Josh O’Connor, though the identities remain uncertain. Amazon says casting is underway and it will share news when the time is right, while stressing its respect for the franchise. Steven Knight, who wrote “Peaky Blinders,” is set to write the film, with Denis Villeneuve directing and Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing. The movie is reportedly planned for release in 2028. Past Bond contenders include Henry Cavill, Sam Neill, James Brolin, Antony Starr, Rupert Friend and Sam Worthington. Cavill said he once heard the choice came down to him and Daniel Craig, with Cavill considered the younger option. Screen tests typically assess stunts, camera presence and dialogue.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 05:04 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond is moving into final screen tests at Pinewood Studios in London, with reports narrowing the field to three or four actors. Callum Turner and Jack Lowden are among those reportedly in contention, alongside Josh O’Connor, though the identities of everyone testing remain unclear. Steven Knight, the writer of *Peaky Blinders*, is set to write the film, which Denis Villeneuve will direct. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios. Amazon says it is approaching casting with “deep respect” and will share more when the time is right. The tests are expected to assess stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Several actors who tested for Bond in earlier rounds include Henry Cavill, Sam Neill and James Brolin. The film is reportedly planned for release in 2028.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 02:15 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond has reached final screen tests in London, with Pinewood Studios reported as the testing location. The field may include Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor, though reports differ on who is testing and how many actors remain. Some accounts say three actors, while others put the number at five; Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell are reportedly not testing. Amazon says the search is underway and it will share more when the time is right. Denis Villeneuve is directing the film, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios. Screen tests are understood to assess stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Past contenders included Henry Cavill, who tested for Bond before Daniel Craig was selected, as well as Sam Neill, James Brolin, Antony Starr, Rupert Friend and Sam Worthington.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 23:06 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond has entered its final stage, with screen tests planned in London. Amazon says it is not discussing specific casting details, but it hopes to share news with 007 fans when the time is right. Reports name Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor among the actors being considered, though the identities of those testing remain uncertain. Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell reportedly are not testing, despite speculation. Accounts also differ on the field’s size, putting it at anywhere from three to five actors. The tests are understood to assess stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Final auditions may begin as early as Friday and continue into the following week. Denis Villeneuve is directing the film, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios, which acquired its creative rights from the Broccoli family.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 19:18 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond appears to have reached its final stage, with screen tests planned for a small group of actors. Four performers are expected to audition, though other reports say the field has narrowed to three. Jack Lowden and Callum Turner are reportedly in contention, while Josh O’Connor has also been named among the actors testing. The exact lineup remains uncertain. Final auditions could begin as early as Friday and continue into the following week, with the screen tests expected to take place over the next week. Amazon MGM Studios is associated with the new 007 film. No casting decision has been announced, and it is not clear which actors will ultimately take part in the tests.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 17:17 UTC)

The search for the next James Bond has reportedly reached its final stage, with the field narrowed to three actors. Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor are among those said to be testing for the role. Amazon MGM Studios is associated with the new 007 film, and final screen tests are planned. Those tests are expected to take place in the next week, potentially starting as early as Friday. Turner and Lowden appear to be in contention, though it remains uncertain exactly which actors will take part in the final tests. The casting process is proceeding through screen tests, but no choice for the iconic role has been announced.