James Bond screen tests are set to take place in London this weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which cites several sources. The auditions are a major step in the search for the actor who will become the next 007, and the outlet reports that a small group is involved.

Callum Turner, who recently starred in the rom-com One Night Only, and Jack Lowden, the Slow Horses actor, are said to be in the mix. According to the outlet, the tests could begin as early as Friday, a timing that two sources gave. Because these are reports rather than an official casting announcement, the lineup should be read as unconfirmed.

The full roster is still murky. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that at least three actors are part of the process, but another source said as many as five could be involved. The outlet did not settle the count, so the number of people testing remains an open question.

Who is in the running for the next 007?

Turner and Lowden are the two names the report puts in contention. Jack O’Connell, who appeared in Sinners, was rumored early on to be part of the group, but according to sources, that is apparently not the case. The outlet also says Jacob Elordi, the star of Euphoria and Frankenstein, is not testing, despite some earlier reports that suggested he was.

Amazon did not provide new details. The studio declined to comment on the tests and pointed back to an earlier statement. In that statement, Amazon said its search for the next Bond is underway and that it plans to share more news with fans once the timing is right.

The format of the tests is also unclear. The Hollywood Reporter says the sources understand them to be comprehensive, with three components: stunts, camera presence and dialogue. The outlet did not describe how those parts will be scored or how they will be weighed against each other.

The process has changed over the years. According to the report, tests held about two decades ago included full hair and makeup, along with a full camera and sound crew on a set. Those earlier auditions give fans a sense of how much a Bond test can involve when it is staged in full.

The last time the role was decided, Henry Cavill was among the actors vying for it, but Daniel Craig won the part. Craig played 007 from 2006’s Casino Royale until 2021’s No Time to Die. Fans who followed that race will recognize some of the same pressure now building around the next casting decision.

The creative team is also taking shape. Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune, is directing the new Bond film. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios, the company that bought the creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025.

The Hollywood Reporter says the timing looks close, but the report does not name a winner. Readers should watch for an official announcement from Amazon, which has said it will share news when the time is right. Until then, the screen tests remain the clearest signal of where the race stands.

Quick answers

When could the James Bond screen tests begin?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, citing two sources, the screen tests could begin as early as Friday in London. The outlet says the timing is based on those reports rather than an official announcement.

Who is directing the next James Bond movie?
Denis Villeneuve, the Dune filmmaker, is directing the new Bond film. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing and overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios.

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter