James Bond casting down to three actors, insider claims

According to a new report, just three actors are currently in contention for the role of 007 in the upcoming James Bond film.

• READ MORE: ‘007 First Light’ review: no video game has done Bond better

The 26th instalment in the long-running spy franchise is being directed by Denis Villeneuve, and written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight. It’ll be the first James Bond film since Amazon took over the franchise last February.

The search for the new 007 officially began in May and since then, numerous actors have been linked to become Daniel Craig’s replacement, who bowed out in 2021’s No Time To Die.

Amy Pascal, who’s producing the new James Bond film at Amazon, has said the new 007 will be cast by the end of 2026. “We are being really, really methodical. I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”

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According to a new report from an industry insider, the shortlist for the new James Bond only has three names on it now. “A few weeks ago, I was told that the race to become the next James Bond had narrowed to three names: Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and an undisclosed third actor,” said World Of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy. “What I’m hearing is that an announcement could come anytime between the last week of October and early November.”

Jeff Sneider at The InSneider has also claimed that Elordi and Lowden were among the actors that have recently completed screen tests for the role.

Timmy. Zendaya. Austin. Florence. Anya. Rob.

Denis has a tendency to gravitate toward the biggest, hottest young stars.

Jacob Elordi fits that bill, and he’s chasing the tuxedo hard… https://t.co/YmTMSHW4tx

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) October 21, 2026

One person who won’t be impressed with the latest rumours is recent Bond author Charlie Higson. Last month, he said Elordi was “too tall” for the role while Lowden would be an unconvincing choice. “With Daniel Craig you can believe him kicking the shit out of someone. And you’ve got to believe that with Bond.”

Debbie McWilliams, the franchise’s longtime casting director who had worked on Bond films for over 40 years before retiring, has also said she does not want to see rumoured James Bond hopefuls Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner or Harris Dickinson become 007 “because we now know so much about them.”

According to reports, Tom Holland is unable to pursue the role due to his Marvel contract, while Taron Egerton ruled himself out. Callum Turner has dodged red carpet questions about his involvement in the project, as has Elordi. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman has claimed that the new James Bond has already been cast, and has backed his Slow Horses co-star Lowden for the role.

It’s also been reported that Bond bosses are looking at House Of The Dragon’s Ewan Mitchell as the villain for the next film.