A mystery actor was spotted arriving at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Saturday as auditions for the next James Bond continued.
Callum Turner began his screen test for 007 on Friday, as producers narrow their search to the final three contenders.
The 36-year-old is up against strong competition from Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, The Crown actor Josh O’Connor and Australian star Jacob Elordi, who is rumoured to be in contention for the role despite earlier reports that he had been ruled out.
Security staff were seen escorting a Mercedes from Bray Studios on Saturday afternoon, prompting speculation that a leading actor had arrived to audition as the next James Bond.
The Bond screen tests are reportedly continuing throughout the weekend, with between three and five actors believed to have reached the final stages of the casting process.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Daniel Craig’s replacement has been years in the making and Callum was called today (Friday) to have his chance to impress the bosses. The next three days are going to be very interesting indeed.’
A mystery actor arrived at Bray Studios in Berkshire on Saturday as auditions for the next James Bond continued
Callum Turner began his 007 screen test on Friday as producers narrowed the field to their final contenders
Bray Studios is a historic production facility on the River Thames and was used for films including The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Amazon MGM Studios, which now controls the Bond franchise, acquired the site in 2024.
Turner’s audition marks a significant moment in the search for Daniel Craig’s successor, a process that has been under way for almost a decade.
The Emma actor, who married pop star Dua Lipa earlier this year, has long been viewed as the leading candidate to take on the iconic spy role.
Scottish actor Lowden and O’Connor, both 36, have emerged as more recent names linked to the race. Elordi, 29, is also reportedly being considered—a prospect that may frustrate traditionalists who believe James Bond should be played by a British actor.
Bond producer Amy Pascal indicated in August that the long-running casting process was nearing its conclusion, saying: ‘I would say the end of the year is a good bet.’
A casting decision by December would give Amazon MGM Studios the opportunity to begin production on the next Bond film in 2027.
Denis Villeneuve, the director of Dune who is attached to lead the project, and Amazon executives announced in May that the search for the new 007 had begun.
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Ms Pascal said: ‘We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.’
Security staff escorted a Mercedes from Bray Studios on Saturday afternoon, fuelling speculation that an actor had arrived for a James Bond audition
The 36-year-old faces strong competition from Slow Horses star Jack Lowden (left) and The Crown actor Josh O’Connor (right)
Wuthering Heights actor Jacob Elordi is also rumoured to be auditioning, despite earlier reports that he was no longer in the running
Bond screen tests are reportedly taking place throughout the weekend, with between three and five actors believed to have reached the final stage of the selection process
Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King’s Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Jack Barton
Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming’s British Secret Service agent 007 in the official film series
Bray Studios is a historic production house on the River Thames, home to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios
Daniel Craig officially stepped down as James Bond in October 2021 following the release of his fifth and final 007 film, No Time To Die
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And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.’
Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King’s Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Jack Barton.
Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming’s British Secret Service agent 007 in the official film series – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.