Screen tests for the next James Bond are happening in London this weekend
A major update on Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming spy film has sped up the Bond handover — the next 007 is nearly cast, with an announcement expected very soon.
Here we go again: a fresh James Bond is nearly upon us. We've all been speculating since Daniel Craig limped off into the sunset, but now, after what feels like an entire era of rumour-mongering, the casting process is finally ramping up for Denis Villeneuve's first proper take on the world's longest-serving spy franchise. If you thought the Bond rumours were endless before, brace yourself for a weekend of wild theories—the shortlist is about to get much, much shorter.
The ninth man to play James Bond is about to be chosen, after a new round of screen tests going ahead in London this weekend.
Who's In the Mix?
This isn't just the usual gossip round; according to fresh reports, between three and five actors have been summoned to London for back-to-back screen tests for 007. Names getting thrown about include Callum Turner—you've seen him in Fantastic Beasts if you squint at that sort of thing—and Jack Lowden, who's popped up everywhere from Dunkirk to Slow Horses. None of this is officially confirmed by Amazon MGM Studios of course, but that's the fun of Bond: the best leaks come from everywhere except the press office.
For those hoping for something a bit more left-field, don't hold your breath: apparently Euphoria's Jacob Elordi, once tipped as the frontrunner, isn't testing at all. The same goes for Jack O'Connell. If you had either one firmly pencilled in on your office sweepstake, tough luck—rip up those betting slips.
The Vetting Process
So, what do these tests actually involve? Not just a tux and a pout, obviously. The studio is putting these blokes through the wringer: camera presence (because let's face it, Bond's got to look sharp even when the film doesn't), dramatic chops, how convincingly they can hurl themselves over a table or two—all the classic moves. They're also being checked for chemistry, just in case we get that Q and M banter we all secretly enjoy more than the set pieces.
Whoever pulls it off will become strikingly enough, the ninth actor to pick up the Walther PPK. For a sense of scale: Daniel Craig was picked after beating out no fewer than 72 different hopefuls back in 2005, so frankly, anyone making this final cut deserves a strong drink just for surviving the process.
The Bigger Picture
As for the film itself: details are about as elusive as a SPECTRE agent. The only solid news is that Steven Knight—the man behind Peaky Blinders—has finished at least one draft of the script. Coincidentally, a newly-unearthed Ian Fleming letter has surfaced, shedding light on what the original Bond author wanted for 007 (though quite how the film will use any of that is anybody's guess).
The timing is down to Denis Villeneuve. As soon as he wraps Dune: Part Three, Bond is next on his to-do list. Villeneuve's gone on record (as much as any A-list director ever does) about why he's making the spy leap after sandworms, but he's keeping his cards close to his chest on the actual details. You won't find a release date anywhere—not even a year.
If you're gagging for something Bond-related in the meantime, Grant Morrison's got a new James Bond comic series on the way. Scraps, I know, but it's better than nothing while the real casting drama kicks off.