"Incredibly bizarre": Josh O'Connor responds to reports he's a James Bond contender

Josh O'Connor has weighed in on reports that he is in contention to be the next James Bond. Deadline reported last month that the Challengers actor was in the running for the role, alongside Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and a mystery actor yet to be unveiled.

With it being suggested that auditions for the role are wrapping up, and that we should know who will play 007 next by the end of the year, the rumour mill is running at an all-time high trying to deduce which actor has been selected.

Speaking about the attention he has received since being tipped to play Bond, O'Connor described the frenzy as "incredibly bizarre".

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Opening the Everyman Theatre's new education and community centre in his hometown of Gloucester (reported on by the BBC), O'Connor said: "To be considered in that same sort of bracket is extraordinary."

When asked about the rumours, the Knives Out actor added: "It's an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment...even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that.

"But I am afraid, there is nothing to say beyond that."

Whoever is chosen to play Bond will replace Daniel Craig, who bowed out after his fifth film, No Time to Die, in 2021.

It comes after The Sun reported that Eternity actor Turner is stepping down as director of Twentytwo Films Ltd., the production company he founded with his wife, singer Dua Lipa.

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Fans believed it could mean his departure confirms he is the next Bond; however, a Companies House check confirmed that Turner left his directorial duties behind in December last year.

Slow Horses star Lowden also previously addressed rumours that he would take on the iconic role after his co-star, Gary Oldman, claimed the next Bond had been selected.

"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 said.

"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."

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn