The next James Bond is closer to being named than most 007 fans realize. According to Deadline, director Denis Villeneuve has begun personally calling actors to inform them they have advanced, with the next round of auditions confirmed for August 2026.
The accelerated timeline marks a significant step in one of the most closely watched casting searches in Hollywood history. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, working alongside casting director Nina Gold, have quietly narrowed the field following general meetings that began in spring 2025. Gold, whose casting credits span "Game of Thrones," five Star Wars films, and the Oscar-nominated "Hamnet," closed her deal with the production in April 2026.
Deadline reports that between five and seven actors are expected to screen test in August, though some sources put the number higher. Harris Dickinson, Callum Turner, and Jacob Elordi have each been described by sources as fitting the profile producers are pursuing, though no names have been officially confirmed. Screenwriter Steven Knight adapted the project for Amazon MGM.
"The search for the next James Bond is underway," Amazon MGM said in a statement to Variety. "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."
The studio aims to have its 007 locked by the end of 2026, with production on Villeneuve's film expected to begin in 2027.