Jack Lowden, Callum Turner reportedly set for final James Bond screen tests; Jacob Elordi not testing

The hunt for the next James Bond appears to be reaching its final stretch, and Scottish actor Jack Lowden is at the center of it. Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety all reported on Thursday, Oct. 22, that Amazon MGM Studios is holding final screen tests for the role of 007, starting as early as Friday, and that Lowden is in the mix.

None of this has been confirmed by the studio. Amazon MGM pointed The Hollywood Reporter to an earlier statement: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.” Reps for Lowden and Callum Turner did not immediately respond to Variety.

Who is Jack Lowden?

Lowden, 36, is a Scottish actor best known to many viewers for the spy series Slow Horses. People notes his film credits include Dunkirk, Ella McCay and Benediction.

Variety reported that Lowden has recently moved to the forefront of Bond speculation, which intensified when his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman appeared to suggest Lowden had made the shortlist. Lowden’s wife, actor Saoirse Ronan, later said it’s “not really a subject that’s coming up in our house,” according to Variety.

Is Callum Turner testing too?

Yes, according to all three trade outlets. Turner, 36, a British actor who recently starred in the rom-com One Night Only and appeared in the Fantastic Beasts films and Emma, per People, was an early favorite this year. Asked about the rumors at the Berlin Film Festival in February, he told reporters: “It’s very early for that question. I’m not going to comment on it,” Variety reported.

What about Josh O’Connor?

Here the reports differ. Deadline reported that at least four test offers have gone out and that, while unconfirmed, insiders say three of the four expected to test are Lowden, Turner and Josh O’Connor. The fourth name was not reported.

The Hollywood Reporter did not name O’Connor. It said it is unclear who else is testing beyond Turner and Lowden, with one source saying at least three actors are involved and another saying up to five.

Is Jacob Elordi in the running for Bond?

Not in this round, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Despite some reports,” the outlet said, the Euphoria and Frankenstein star “is not testing.” THR also reported that Jack O’Connell, who was rumored to be in the mix early on, is apparently not part of the tests.

What happens in a Bond screen test?

The tests are taking place in London this weekend, THR reported, and are understood to be comprehensive, with three components: stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Deadline said the tests were originally planned for earlier in the month but were pushed back because of scheduling conflicts so the finalists could test around the same time.

When will the next James Bond be announced?

There is no official timeline. Deadline and Variety both reported that most expect a decision by the end of the year.

Who is making the next Bond film?

• Director: Denis Villeneuve (Dune)
• Producers: Amy Pascal and David Heyman, overseeing the franchise for Amazon MGM Studios
• Writer: Steven Knight, per Deadline
• Casting: Nina Gold

Amazon MGM bought out the franchise’s creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025, THR noted. Deadline reported that the first round of auditions took place in August and that test offers were worked out in September. The new actor would succeed Daniel Craig, whose final outing was 2021’s No Time to Die.

FAQ

Has Jack Lowden been cast as James Bond? No. He is reportedly one of the actors screen testing; no casting has been announced.

Who else is reportedly testing? Callum Turner, according to Deadline, THR and Variety; Deadline also named Josh O’Connor.

Is Jacob Elordi the next Bond? The Hollywood Reporter says he is not among those testing.