Callum Turner just quit his own company — and Bond fans think they know why

The post-Daniel Craig era of James Bond casting has basically turned into Britain's longest-running parlour game. Names get thrown about with wild abandon every few months – some serious, most less so – and frankly, who hasn't been a "rumoured front-runner" at this point? Still, a new bit of evidence suggests things could finally be moving, with Callum Turner suddenly tipped as the current favourite to don the tux.

Earlier this summer, Bond producer Amy Pascal reckoned it was a "good bet" we'd know the new 007 by the end of the year.

Why Turner?

So, why is everyone peering at Turner now like he's about to order a vodka martini? Two main things. First, he just resigned from Twentytwo Films Ltd. – that's the production company he set up with his wife, Dua Lipa, only last year. Not exactly the sort of move you make if you're planning a quiet few months, is it? The theory is, he's making space in his diary for something rather demanding…

Callum Turner stepped down as director of his company Twentytwo Films Ltd., which some reckon is a clue he's freeing himself up for Bond duties.

Then there's the matter of a reported screen test. Apparently, Turner was seen at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Friday, putting in some Bond time – and yes, it's absolutely the kind of studio name you'd expect for a proper 007 trial run. This sort of industry movement always gets people talking, and the timing could hardly be more suspicious.

Who Else Is in the Mix?

Of course, Turner's not the only lad in the conversation. Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor have both shown up on various "finalist" lists – though, in truth, we've seen so many lists at this point, it's impossible to say how much is guesswork. Lowden, in particular, has been getting a bit of external noise thanks to his Slow Horses co-star, Gary Oldman, who's rather publicly endorsed him.

Here's how Lowden handled the Bond chatter himself in a recent interview:

Lowden said, "It's all very flattering. It’s nice to be mentioned — for any role — and I’m just not really going to add to the noise." He went on, "It’s very nice, and Gary’s a sweetheart. It’s particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don’t really listen to it."

Oldman was a bit less coy, saying earlier in the year that Lowden had been rumoured to be on the shortlist and hinted the choice had already been made behind closed doors. In his view, fingers crossed for Jack.

• Callum Turner – fresh off resigning from his own production company, reportedly just did a Bond screen test
• Jack Lowden – maintains it's all just flattering rumour, but has Gary Oldman in his corner
• Josh O'Connor – still in the mix, at least according to the usual suspects

The big question left hanging: if Turner really is about to become 007, will we get a Dua Lipa theme tune as collateral? Stranger things have happened in the Bond universe.