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Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has revealed his pick from the rumoured candidates for the next 007.
Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and Callum Turner are reportedly the frontrunners to take over from Daniel Craig, and an announcement is rumoured to be imminent.
Now, Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond in four movies from 1995’s GoldenEye to 2002’s Die Another Day, has weighed in and given his seal of approval for Turner.
In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Brosnan praised all the candidates but singled out Callum Turner.
The actors played father and son in the 2017 drama The Only Living Boy in New York.
“I’m just an audience member now,” said Brosnan. “I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history. All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire. Callum, Callum Turner is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong.”
He added: “They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men.”
Regarding the advice he’d give the next Bond, Brosnan said: “Whoever plays the role, I wish him the very best of life and strength and courage. You know, it’s hard to tell who it would be, but I eagerly await to hear the news and the celebration of the next James Bond.”
The 73-year-old actor also praised incoming Bond director Denis Villeneuve, saying: “I think we are going to be blown away. I really do. He is such an iconoclastic director. His work is visionary, and his stealth and imagination of camera work and storytelling is so visceral and sensuous.”
He added: “Villeneuve is someone who I have great admiration for, and I look forward to seeing the work.”
This week, there has been fresh speculation regarding casting as film industry insiders seem increasingly convinced that Callum Turner, 36, has landed the role.
Turner was spotted at Bray Studios in Berkshire for a screen test on Friday (30 October) and The Sun reported that the actor had stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, a production company he founded last year with his wife, Dua Lipa.
This has been interpreted as a sign that Turner could be clearing his slate ahead of a career-making Bond move. A source told the publication: “Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers.”
As for Turner’s fellow Bond hopefuls, Jack Lowden has recently gotten the seal of approval from his Slow Horses co-stars Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. The 36-year-old actor said in an interview with GQ: “On this… it’s all very flattering. It’s nice to be mentioned – for any role – and I’m just not really going to add to the noise.”
On his side, Josh O’Connor, also 36, has said he’s flattered to be considered, but declined to confirm or deny any speculation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, O’Connor said that reading the reports had been “such an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment… even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that.” However, he added: “But I am afraid, there is nothing to say beyond that.”
An exact timeline for finalizing casting is not known. What we do know is that it’s happening this year, as Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal revealed in August that “the end of the year is a good bet” for the official announcement.
“We are being really, really methodical,” said Pascal in August. “Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”
Bond 26 will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve and is being written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. It will be the first Bond film since Amazon took full creative control over the franchise from longtime 007 custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.
Production on the next Bond film is expected to kick off in 2027, with a release planned for 2028.