Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | October 23, 2026
Another week, another “who’s the next James Bond” post. In these tough times of Google destroying the internet and AI slop polluting every corner, we can at least rely on years of chit-chat about 007 and get some clicks from that. It’s really what James Bond is best for. That and misogyny. Anyhoo, according to The Hollywood Reporter, after YEARS of gossip and rumours, screen test are thought to be taking place this weekend for the final round of auditions. The new martini addict is in our sights, kids!
The finalists (via the BBC) are said to be taking part in auditions with three components - stunts, camera presence and dialogue. But who is in the line-up? There have been multiple reports suggesting that the candidates include Slow Horses spy Jack Lowden, Mr. Dua Lipa Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor from The Crown, and one mystery actor. Prior favourites included Harris Dickinson, Jack O’Connell, Paul Mescal, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jacob Elordi.
None of these names are shocking. They’ve all been whispered about for months and they all fit into the narrow mould of Bond-isms that we expected Amazon-MGM to stick to: tall, handsome, white, British or Irish, and acclaimed actors who aren’t so massively famous that they can demand too much money or creative control. 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. Not that this is a risk-taking franchise anyway, but Daniel Craig’s tenure gave the character a kind of darkness that I can’t see Amazon-MGM committing to. Craig thought Bond was a laughable example of masculinity and it was a blast to watch. They’ll want to keep this thing as safe and test-screened as possible. There is a reason there aren’t any actors of colour in contention. Out of the three names listed, my choice would be Lowden. We need another Scottish Bond.
But what of this “mystery actor” who is apparently floating around in the final stages? Is it someone very famous who they’re trying to keep under wraps? Or have they discovered an incredible unknown they want to give a splashy reveal? Has Amazon heard Lainey Gossip’s Sarah Marrs and I’s years-long pleas to cast Dev Patel?! Or is it just the most boring milquetoast white dude possible?
