Pierce Brosnan has publicly praised Callum Turner as the casting process for the next James Bond film reaches a decisive phase under director Denis Villeneuve and Amazon MGM Studios, according to MCE TV.
London Screen Tests Narrow Down the Field
The search for the next 007 intensified over the weekend as a London studio closed its doors for high-stakes camera tests. A handful of contenders were asked to deliver the famous introduction. According to reports from Deadline, at least four actors reached the final stages of the casting process. Three names circulating in trade reports include Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Josh O’Connor, while a fourth candidate’s identity remains unconfirmed by the studio.
Production on the upcoming film is slated to begin in 2027, with an anticipated theatrical release in 2028. The script is written by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. This new installment follows a period where Daniel Craig concluded his tenure with his fifth film, No Time to Die, in 2021 after fifteen years in the role. During his run, Craig became the actor having played the role for the longest duration, culminating in a conclusion where the character was killed off while saving the world.
Before Craig secured the role in 2005 for Casino Royale, actor Henry Cavill had also auditioned for the part at age 22. Director Martin Campbell later remarked that Cavill was superb during his audition, though he was ultimately judged too young at the time. Over the years, the franchise has weighed various directions, including debates surrounding the potential introduction of a female 007 to evolve the series from its earlier representation of women.
Pierce Brosnan Backs Callum Turner
Former 007 actor Pierce Brosnan offered strong words of support for Callum Turner, whom he worked with on the 2017 film The Only Living Boy in New York playing father and son. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Brosnan praised Turner’s acting abilities while acknowledging that the studio has yet to officially announce Daniel Craig’s successor. Brosnan also expressed admiration for the other contenders whose names have surfaced in trade publications.
Turner, 36, has gained industry momentum alongside his peers. Meanwhile, Jack Lowden addressed ongoing media speculation regarding his own candidacy, noting that praise from his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman was flattering, though he maintains distance from the daily rumors. Lowden noted that as a young actor, whenever you are not playing an eccentric artist and you wear a suit, people attach the Bond label to you.
Denis Villeneuve Takes the Director’s Chair
The franchise’s new direction is helmed by Denis Villeneuve. Brosnan noted his anticipation for Villeneuve’s creative approach to the material. Production teams expect to announce the final casting decision before the conclusion of the year, preceding the 2027 start of principal photography.
