- Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor, and a secret fourth candidate have completed final screen tests at London’s Bray Studios for the role of James Bond.
- Bookmaker Ladbrokes has positioned 36-year-old Scottish actor Jack Lowden as the frontrunner with odds of 8/11, closely trailed by Callum Turner at 2/1.
- The upcoming installment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with an official announcement anticipated by the end of the year.
The Race for 007 Reaches Final Screen Tests at Bray Studios
The high-stakes search to discover the next James Bond is nearing its conclusion after final screen tests wrapped up over the weekend. Film executives convened at Bray Studios in London, where four contenders—Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and an undisclosed mystery choice whose identity remains confidential—underwent rigorous trials to prove their fitness to inherit the franchise from Daniel Craig. The finalists were evaluated on extensive action sequences, dialogue delivery, and general camera presence.
Speculation surrounding the casting shortlist had previously linked performers such as Euphoria star Jacob Elordi and Sinners actor Jack O’Connell to the iconic MI6 role. However, reports confirmed that neither Elordi nor O’Connell participated in the final studio trials, narrowing the confirmed field down to the four actors who participated in London.
Bookmakers Back Jack Lowden as the Frontrunner
Following the completion of screen tests, market analysts and fans have zeroed in on a favored successor. According to betting agency Ladbrokes, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has emerged as the clear frontrunner, commanding odds of 8/11. Callum Turner holds second place at 2/1, while Josh O’Connor sits further back with odds of 8/1.
Speaking to The Sun regarding the rapid shift in betting patterns, the bookmakers remarked:
“The Bond race looks to be reaching crunch time and punters are firmly backing Jack Lowden to get the call. He’s already odds-on and the latest speculation has only fuelled support for him, with Callum Turner looking like his biggest threat.”
The intense focus on Lowden follows remarks made in September by his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman, who stirred global excitement by claiming a decision had already been finalized behind closed doors. Talking to Global, Oldman stated:
“It’s been rumoured that he’s on the shortlist. We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.”
Saoirse Ronan and Franchise Producers Address Announcement Timelines
Despite rampant rumors—amplified further when Lowden was omitted from a promotion confirming the eighth season of Slow Horses—his wife, Academy Award-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan, downplayed the certainty of the rumors. Addressing the chatter with the Associated Press, the Little Women star clarified:
“Well, Gary Oldman thinks he’s James Bond… [That’s] its own thing. We’re kind of getting on with our life, to be honest. We have plenty of other things to be dealing with. So, yeah, it’s not really a subject that’s coming up in our house, to be honest.”
Behind the camera, the franchise is preparing a clean creative transition under director Denis Villeneuve alongside producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal. Addressing the deliberate timeline for the announcement, Pascal earlier shared with Deadline:
“We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with [producer] Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean…Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”
Addressing minor delays in production tests, Justin Kroll reported on October 22:
“Tests were originally planned for earlier in the month, but due to schedule conflicts with the finalists were pushed to the end of the month so they could happen around the same time. Even with the tests wrapping next week, there is no timeline for when a final decision will be made, though most believe it will come by end of the year.”
Why This Matters
Recasting James Bond represents one of the most commercially significant milestones in cinema. Following Daniel Craig’s record-setting 15-year tenure spanning five films, producers Barbara Broccoli, Amy Pascal, and David Heyman face the challenge of modernizing the brand for a new generation. With acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve steering the creative direction, securing the right lead performer establishes the commercial trajectory and tone of the entire enterprise for the next decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the final four actors being tested for James Bond?
The actors reported to have completed the final round of screen tests at Bray Studios in London are Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor, and an undisclosed mystery fourth contender.
Were Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell tested for the role?
No. Despite sustained online speculation and reports, trade sources confirmed that neither Jacob Elordi nor Jack O’Connell were involved in the final studio screen tests.
When will the next James Bond actor be officially announced?
While industry insiders note there is no rigid deadline following schedule adjustments in October, producer Amy Pascal and trade analysts anticipate the casting decision will be revealed by the end of the year.
