Reports from industry sources say three young British actors — Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor — are among the performers scheduled to take final screen tests this weekend as studios narrow the field for the next James Bond. Those reports suggest there may be as few as three, or as many as five, candidates involved in the last round of camera auditions.
The decision, according to people familiar with the process, is expected to be known to insiders once the screen tests conclude, although no public announcement has been confirmed. The selection of a new 007 comes after an unusually prolonged period of speculation and delay, leaving the franchise without a publicly confirmed lead since Daniel Craig’s final appearance.
What happens in a screen test can vary, but industry casting directors say the final auditions typically assess a candidate’s screen presence, physicality, and chemistry with potential co‑stars and directors. Performers often work through key scenes, demonstrate combat or stunt readiness, and test costume and hair looks under production lighting and camera setups. For those auditions, preparation tends to focus on acting range, the ability to perform under technical conditions, and how an actor projects the mixture of menace, wit and vulnerability associated with the role.
The search for a new Bond has been closely watched because of the franchise’s long history and global profile. Producers have faced repeated public speculation about replacements, and casting decisions have acquired heightened scrutiny owing to the commercial and creative implications of the next era of films. Whoever is chosen will inherit a role that has been continuously reimagined since the series began, and will be expected to help define its direction after a multi‑year gap in confirmed casting.
At this stage the studios have not publicly confirmed names or timelines for an announcement, and it remains unclear when a final decision will be disclosed to the wider public. Insiders and industry observers will be closely watching the outcome of this weekend’s tests, which may conclude a protracted chapter in the franchise’s casting process.