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Final James Bond Auditions Set for This Weekend

Updated 4:07 AM ET · 3:12 AM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Final auditions for the next James Bond are set to begin this weekend, with a select group of actors vying for the iconic role.

Final auditions for the next James Bond are set to begin this weekend, with a select group of actors vying for the iconic role. According to reports, the auditions, which were originally scheduled for earlier this month, have been rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.

The auditions, which are expected to start as early as Friday, October 23, and run through next week, are part of a long-running search for the successor to Daniel Craig, who played Bond across 15 years and five films.

Sources told Deadline that at least four final screen test offers have been made, with three of the four expected to test being Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O'Connor. These actors are among the final contenders for the role.

The auditions are elaborate affairs involving hair and makeup, costumes, sets, and other actors, as explained by the 007 team in the past.

Amazon MGM Studios, which bought MGM for $8.5bn (£6.3bn) in 2021, has reportedly paid at least $20m (£14.9m) more for the rights to creatively control Bond's future.

The auditions are part of a process that began in May when Amazon MGM Studios announced the casting process was underway. The next film, Bond 26, is targeting a 2028 theatrical release, with production expected to begin in 2027.

Deadline reports that the first round of auditions took place in August, and since then, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman and director Denis Villeneuve have been deciding on the final list for testing.

The auditions are expected to wrap next week, but there is no timeline for when a final decision will be made. Previous Bond casting reveals typically occurred one to two years ahead of a new film's release.

The auditions are taking place in London, with a formal casting announcement expected before the end of 2026.

The search for the new James Bond is entering its decisive final stage, with many fans hoping for an announcement on Global James Bond Day, celebrated every October 5th, marking the anniversary of the London premiere of Dr No in 1962.

The auditions are a culmination of a long and meticulous process, with the 007 team ensuring that each auditionee will come across on screen as the iconic British Secret Service agent.

The auditions are expected to be a stirring and exciting affair, with the final decision set to be made by the end of the year.

Background

What's confirmed

• Final auditions for the next James Bond are set to begin this weekend, with a select group of actors vying for the iconic role. According to reports, the auditions, which were originally scheduled for earlier this month, have been rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.
• The auditions, which are expected to start as early as Friday, October 23, and run through next week, are part of a long-running search for the successor to Daniel Craig, who played Bond across 15 years and five films.
• Sources told Deadline that at least four final screen test offers have been made, with three of the four expected to test being Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O'Connor. These actors are among the final contenders for the role.
• The auditions are elaborate affairs involving hair and makeup, costumes, sets, and other actors, as explained by the 007 team in the past.
• Amazon MGM Studios, which bought MGM for $8.5bn (£6.3bn) in 2021, has reportedly paid at least $20m (£14.9m) more for the rights to creatively control Bond's future.
• The auditions are part of a process that began in May when Amazon MGM Studios announced the casting process was underway. The next film, Bond 26, is targeting a 2028 theatrical release, with production expected to begin in 2027.
• Deadline reports that the first round of auditions took place in August, and since then, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman and director Denis Villeneuve have been deciding on the final list for testing.
• The auditions are expected to wrap next week, but there is no timeline for when a final decision will be made. Previous Bond casting reveals typically occurred one to two years ahead of a new film's release.
• The auditions are taking place in London, with a formal casting announcement expected before the end of 2026.
• The search for the new James Bond is entering its decisive final stage, with many fans hoping for an announcement on Global James Bond Day, celebrated every October 5th, marking the anniversary of the London premiere of Dr No in 1962.
• The auditions are a culmination of a long and meticulous process, with the 007 team ensuring that each auditionee will come across on screen as the iconic British Secret Service agent.
• The auditions are expected to be a stirring and exciting affair, with the final decision set to be made by the end of the year.

What's still developing

• Jack O’Connell, who appeared in Sinners, and Jacob Elordi were both mentioned during the speculation, but sources now suggest neither is taking part in the current round of auditions.
• Elordi was a fave for a while but as a freakishly tall Australian Oscar nominee, perhaps he was just out of reach (although he is certainly hungry enough to want the part.) As we’ve said before, we don’t have much hope that this new Bond will be particularly daring.
• Craig thought Bond was a laughable example of masculinity and it was a blast to watch.
• To say it has been a long time coming is an understatement.
• Young’s fellow host Ania Magliano also brought up the recently-announced “Glee” reboot – taking a shot squarely at the show itself.
• Auditions for the role in the Denis Villeneuve film are already underway and have taken place over the summer, and Brosnan recently said there are “lots of great actors” up for the role, but he thinks they might cast someone unknown.
• Director Martin Campbell later said the young Brit gave a “tremendous” audition but was simply too young for the role.
• James Brolin, then 42 and best known for The Amityville Horror, tested over several days, even adopting something almost resembling an English accent.
• The New Zealand actor was 29 and virtually unknown to American audiences when he joined the Casino Royale Bond hunt.
• "And it's got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different."
• The BBC's Lizo Mzimba reported in September that "for a series where the stakes are so high, no expense is spared in ensuring that the film team know exactly how each auditionee will come across on screen".

Sources

• BBClink
• BBN Timeslink
• Cosmic Book Newslink
• Joe.co.uklink
• NPRlink
• Pajibalink
• The Guardianlink
• UNILADlink
• Varietylink
• https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/link
• Deadlinelink
• Thejamesbonddossierlink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• Kens5link
• WarpBeat — background on Amazon MGM Nears Final Screen Tests for Next James Bond link
• All news update — video link