Quick summary
- Australian actor Jacob Elordi is named in new, unconfirmed reports as a leading contender to play James Bond.
- The same reports name Scottish actor Jack Lowden as the other finalist.
- Other reports say the final screen tests went to Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor, with Elordi reportedly out of that round.
- No one has been officially cast. An announcement is tipped for late October or early November, according to Sacnilk.
What the latest Bond reports say
Jacob Elordi is back in the frame for the world’s most famous spy. According to an entertainment report from Sacnilk published on 28 October, the latest buzz online claims the choice has narrowed to Elordi and Lowden. The outlet is clear that the story is far from settled and that nobody has been officially cast.
The search to replace Daniel Craig has now run for more than four years. In that time the speculation has rarely stood still, and this week is no different.
Why the reports do not agree
The conflict is the real story. Sacnilk notes that one set of reports pairs Elordi and Lowden with an unnamed third actor. Another set claims the final screen tests are being offered to Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor, with Elordi reportedly not part of that round.
Other names have been linked to the part at various points this year, according to the same report: Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Jack O’Connell, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jack Barton. None of this has been confirmed by the studio, and readers should treat every name as a rumour.
The case for Elordi
Sacnilk describes the 29-year-old as the Australian actor who broke through with Euphoria and then proved himself in Saltburn, Priscilla and as the Creature in Frankenstein. This year he also played Heathcliff in the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Fans can read more in our Jacob Elordi coverage, including a recent post on his reported house-hunting in Los Angeles.
At 6 feet 5 inches, he would be one of the tallest Bonds to date. He has also reportedly met the film’s director and studio executives in recent months, though that detail is unconfirmed. Online opinion is split. Some fans say he brings the younger audience and star power the series needs, while others feel he lacks the dry wit and controlled menace of the role.
The case for Lowden
Lowden, 35, is best known as River Cartwright in Slow Horses, and has also appeared in Dunkirk and Mary Queen of Scots. His spy-series credentials are part of his appeal. Sacnilk reports that his co-star Gary Oldman has publicly backed him and hinted that a decision has already been made. Writer Steven Knight was asked about Lowden and said only that he could not speak about it.
Some fans worry Lowden lacks the global box office pull of a bigger star, the report adds.
A franchise reset
The next film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Knight. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing. Amazon MGM Studios now holds creative control after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped back from the day-to-day running of the series. Production is expected to begin next year.
The stakes are high. The series began with Dr. No in 1962 and has produced 25 official films with six lead actors. Craig’s tenure, from 2006 to 2021, was the most commercially successful: Skyfall passed US$1 billion, which remains the series high, while No Time To Die finished near US$774 million. The next actor must win over audiences who have known mostly Craig in the role for almost two decades.
What happens next
Every report Sacnilk cites agrees on timing: an announcement is tipped for somewhere between the end of October and early November. Until the studio speaks, the names above remain speculation. We will update this story if Amazon MGM Studios confirms a casting.
Frequently asked questions
Has Jacob Elordi been cast as James Bond?
No. As of 28 October no actor has been officially cast, and reports about the shortlist conflict.
Who else is linked to the role?
Reports name Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor among screen-test candidates. Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Jack O’Connell, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jack Barton have also been linked this year.
When will the new Bond be announced?
An announcement is tipped for between the end of October and early November, but this timing is also unconfirmed. Production is expected to start next year.
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