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Amazon MGM Nears Final Screen Tests for Next James Bond
Confirmed
In Short: Amazon MGM Studios is nearing the final stage of its extensive search for the next James Bond, with screen tests scheduled to begin as early as this Friday and continue through the next week.
Amazon MGM Studios is nearing the final stage of its extensive search for the next James Bond, with screen tests scheduled to begin as early as this Friday and continue through the next week. The process, which has been thorough and lengthy, includes final auditions for the iconic role.
Since acquiring full creative control of the franchise earlier this year, Amazon MGM has been meticulous in its approach, involving meetings with potential candidates and narrowing down the list to its final group. The studio, along with producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman and director Denis Villeneuve, has been working on securing test offers for the final candidates.
The casting process began in the spring when the studio announced that casting director Nina Gold would be joining the project. Following two months of meetings, the first round of auditions took place in August, and the list was further refined in September.
Sources indicate that the screen tests will take place in London this weekend. Among the actors reportedly in the mix are Callum Turner, who recently starred in the rom-com 'One Night Only,' and Jack Lowden, known for his role in 'Slow Horses.'
While the studio has not commented on specific details during the casting process, a spokesperson stated, '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 process to find the next 007 actor mirrors the thorough approach taken to select Steven Knight to pen the script last summer. Since then, the focus has been on getting the story in the right place before auditioning actors to play the role.
The nearly three-hour movie, first revealed last month at a secretive screening at the Telluride Film Festival, is only playing in 855 theaters this weekend. This limited release strategy is part of a broader approach to build buzz and anticipation for the film.
In other entertainment news, 'You Can See Everything' opened to $15 million across the US and Canada on more than 800 screens, marking the second strongest launch ever for a documentary behind 2004's 'Fahrenheit 9/11.'
What's confirmed
- Amazon MGM Studios is nearing the final stage of its extensive search for the next James Bond, with screen tests scheduled to begin as early as this Friday and continue through the next week. The process, which has been thorough and lengthy, includes final auditions for the iconic role.
- Since acquiring full creative control of the franchise earlier this year, Amazon MGM has been meticulous in its approach, involving meetings with potential candidates and narrowing down the list to its final group. The studio, along with producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman and director Denis Villeneuve, has been working on securing test offers for the final candidates.
- The casting process began in the spring when the studio announced that casting director Nina Gold would be joining the project. Following two months of meetings, the first round of auditions took place in August, and the list was further refined in September.
- The process to find the next 007 actor mirrors the thorough approach taken to select Steven Knight to pen the script last summer. Since then, the focus has been on getting the story in the right place before auditioning actors to play the role.
- The nearly three-hour movie, first revealed last month at a secretive screening at the Telluride Film Festival, is only playing in 855 theaters this weekend. This limited release strategy is part of a broader approach to build buzz and anticipation for the film.
What's still developing
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- Riehle acted in over 400 screen projects, including “Casino,” “The Fugitive,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Grounded for Life,” and “The Legend of Korra.” Richard Riehle, the character actor known for his supporting turn in Office Space, has died.
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- While the Nicolas Cage vehicle will not be continuing, the Amazon-Sony TV collaboration it was part of will.