Final James Bond Screen Tests Conclude in London as Lowden, Turner, and O'Connor Compete

Key points

• Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O'Connor are the confirmed finalists for the role of James Bond, with one or two additional unnamed actors potentially participating in the tests.
• The screen tests, held in London, assessed candidates on three key areas: stunts, camera presence, and dialogue, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian.
• Bookmakers and prediction markets favor Jack Lowden, with Oddschecker giving him a 62% chance and Kalshi listing him at 64%, while Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor trail behind.
• The next Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve for Amazon MGM Studios, which acquired the franchise rights from the Broccoli family in 2025, and is expected to release in 2028.
• Margaret Qualley is the leading candidate for the 'Bond girl' role according to betting odds, with Sydney Sweeney and Anya Taylor-Joy also in contention.

Background

Daniel Craig played James Bond from 2006 to 2021, and the franchise has experienced a significant gap since his final film, 'No Time to Die.' The search for his successor has been prolonged by corporate transitions and indecision, with Amazon MGM Studios taking over production after purchasing the rights from the Broccoli family in 2025. Previous frontrunners like Jacob Elordi and Jack O'Connell have been ruled out, narrowing the field to the current finalists.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Page Six confirm the core finalists but note uncertainty about the total number of participants, with some sources suggesting up to five actors. The Guardian provides a more critical analysis of the candidates, questioning if Jack Lowden is too 'teddy bear' for the role and suggesting Josh O'Connor might be a better fit, while also highlighting the unique challenges posed by Denis Villeneuve's directing style. The Hollywood Reporter also reports on betting odds, showing Jack Lowden as the clear favorite, whereas The Guardian focuses on the qualitative aspects of the screen tests, such as the actors' ability to handle Villeneuve's signature sound design and cross-media IP demands. BBC provides a lighter, fan-focused perspective, highlighting London locations associated with the franchise and the public interest in the screen tests.

Why it matters

The casting of the next James Bond is a major event for the entertainment industry, signaling the future direction of one of the most iconic film franchises. The involvement of Denis Villeneuve and Amazon MGM Studios suggests a potential shift in tone and style for the series, moving away from traditional Bond tropes. The outcome will also impact related media, including potential spin-offs and theme song collaborations, as indicated by the betting odds for the 'Bond girl' and theme song artist.

What to watch

A casting decision is expected by the end of 2026, with the film slated for a 2028 release. The next steps will likely involve announcing the cast for the 'Bond girl' role and the theme song artist, followed by the start of pre-production for the Denis Villeneuve-directed film.