Josh O’Connor says Bond speculation is flattering, stays silent on auditions
Amazon MGM Studios has not publicly confirmed who has auditioned for the next James Bond film, which Denis Villeneuve will direct.
Josh O’Connor has welcomed being mentioned as a possible successor to Daniel Craig as James Bond, while declining to say whether he has participated in casting. Speaking to the BBC, the 36-year-old actor characterized the attention as a surprising honor.
The questions came during his visit to Cheltenham, England, his hometown, for the opening of a new center for education and community activities at the Everyman Theatre. O’Connor, known for Challengers and The Crown, said being grouped with other potential Bond actors felt extraordinary.
Reports have linked O’Connor, Jack Lowden and Callum Turner to screen tests for the franchise. No public confirmation of the performers who have auditioned has come from Amazon MGM Studios. Lowden has likewise called the attention flattering without expanding on the speculation.
O’Connor offered a different explanation for the rumors in January 2025: they had gained traction after he joked about taking the part. He said then that he knew of no plans for him to play Bond.
Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next installment, and Steven Knight will write its screenplay. A release date remains unconfirmed.
