Daniel Craig’s James Bond bit the big one in 2021. It was a fitting end to one of (if not the best) run of 007 films in the franchise’s six decade history. There was a depth, a continuity, a feeling of finalism that caused all fans to reflect instead of the usual curse of leaving the theater thinking, “what’s next?” So, the wait for who would don the dinner jacket for MI6 in the newest iteration of the agent has been long, but somehow simultaniuously snuck up on us. It has been five years since we’ve had a new James Bond film, and it will likely be another year or two before we do, marking the longest wait.
But that doesn’t mean we aren’t getting things to chew on in the meantime. Outside of the books and video game content we have gotten this year, we have also been getting updates on casting, and this weekend marks the final round of James Bond auditions, and here is what we know so far.
Who is still in the running?
At the moment, there are three actors who are named to still be in the running. The biggest name is Callum Turner, who we last saw in a film, One Night Only, starring Monica Barbaro. While this was a rom-com (and not really a good one), the two of them together felt like a Bond and Bond girl dry run. Josh O’Connor, who certainly has the range in projects like Disclosure Day, Challengers, and The Crown. But his turn opposite the previous Bond in Wake Up Dead Man, the most recent Knives Out, movie, may have given him a leg up with advice from a veteran. And Jack Lowden, known for his series opposite Gary Oldman in Slow Horses.
Lastly, there is alledgedly, an unnamed fourth contender, who is a dark horse to steal the role and make a splash with the headlines.
Who is out?
With all of those names that are in, let’s talk about those who are out. Of course, the names who have long been suspected of being in the running like Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy have all but been shown the door due to age and the fact that big names are never cast. Alongside them, unless they are the undisclosed dark horse, Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Aaron Pierre seem to also be out of the running. While I am sad to see the former and the latter passed over the most, I hold out hope that Theo James still remains in the room. Aaron Pierre would have been stellar as our first person of color in the role, but with his commitment to the DCU and as the Green Lantern for the future, unlikely he would hold down two franchises.
Final prediction?
Who do I think we will see in the dinner jacket with the Walther? Jack Lowden makes the most sense to me. Callum Turner has the chops and the physique to pull off the character. And his marriage to Dua Lipa adds press and a fun option for his debut opening credits song. However, he seems like a bigger name than the franchise usually goes for. The Bond actors are almost always a relative blank slate. O’Connor is able to be charming and introspective, something the character sorely needs. But he lacks a physicality and a conventional attractiveness that may be difficult to overcome. Lowden, however, has the chops, has the charm, the darkness, and the physicality to fill the suit well. Add to that his Scottish link to the original James Bond in Sean Connery and the quip from co-star Gary Oldman about the actor already being chosen and I think the writing is on the wall.
Now, having said all of that, there is also the problem that a new studio and creative team is taking over, which means all historical processes are suspect and the dark horse could be anyone. Hopefully, we find out before next weekend.
