James Bond director Denis Villeneuve hints at casting announcement as race for 007 heats up

They join Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and Callum Turner as the rumoured top contenders to take over from Daniel Craig, who left the series in 2021 after No Time to Die.

The actor chosen will replace Daniel Craig

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Villeneuve, who is currently gearing up for the release of Dune: Part Three, will be at the helm of the new film, which is due to be released in 2028.

The next film, known as Bond 26, will be the first to be released under the full control of Amazon MGM Studios, after long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped down in 2025.

Robert Pattinson has reportedly screen-tested for the role

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Speaking at the LACMA Art and Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, after being honoured for his contribution to cinema, Villeneuve teased who could be the next 007.

Closing his speech, he said: “To express my gratitude with the blessing of my new friends at Amazon, I will reveal to you tonight who will be the next James Bond.

"The new James Bond is … and I will stop right now because [James Bond producer] Amy Pascal is about to have a heart attack. Thank you very much."

Dennis Villeneuve at the LACMA Art and Film Gala in Los Angeles

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He was also asked about the new Bond film while on the red carpet at the event, and the director declined to comment further, telling Variety: “I should not comment right now because every word I’m going to say is going to be scrutinised.

"I would just say that I’m having a great time."

The news of Pattinson and Hoult’s auditions came as a surprise for many following the race, as it was recently claimed that O’Connor had secured the role after successfully negotiating the final stages of the auditions with Amazon MGM Studios.

Jack Lowden is a frontrunner to play the iconic spy

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The Crown star, 36, had been appearing in the play Golden Boy in Islington, north London and The Sun newspaper reported one of his castmates let the Bond casting news slip after a "few glasses of lager" at a pub in Soho.

A source told the publication: "I bumped into one of Josh’s Golden Boy cast mates at The French House. A lot of people asked for selfies and we got chatting in a corner completely by accident.

"Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond. I said it was pure speculation but they were insistent it was Josh.

It was recently claimed that O’Connor had secured the role

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"They said that he had confided in them about getting the role when the cast of Golden Boy had celebratory drinks after the play finished its run on Halloween. "

Pascal has previously insisted the new 007 will be revealed to film fans by the end of 2026.

She told Deadline: "I would say the end of the year is a good bet. We are being really, really methodical."