The Next James Bond Enters Final Testing, with Jack Lowden a 62% Favorite

A new legend begins: Jack Lowden emerges as the frontrunner

The “007” series, the epitome of spy action and a favorite of moviegoers around the world for more than 60 years, dating back to the 1960s, has entered the final stretch of its search for the seventh James Bond. Amazon MGM Studios and director Denis Villeneuve, who will helm the next installment, have recently narrowed the field to four finalists and begun camera tests in earnest.

According to major international outlets including The Hollywood Reporter in the United States and the BBC in the United Kingdom, actor Jack Lowden is currently seen as the leading contender. He earned critical and popular acclaim for his outstanding performance in Apple TV+’s acclaimed spy series Slow Horses. Analysis by British online betting site Oddschecker puts Jack Lowden’s casting odds at a striking 62%, well ahead of his rivals.

Based on Ian Fleming’s spy novels, the franchise began with 1962’s Dr. No and follows an agent of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). The iconic role of James Bond has been played by just six actors: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Global interest in who will succeed Daniel Craig—cast as the first blond Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale and bowing out with 2021’s No Time to Die—is hotter than ever.

Josh O’Connor’s global profile and rising stars face off

The other actors named to the final camera-test list alongside Jack Lowden are also an impressive group. Josh O’Connor, who played a young Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown and cemented his global profile with the film Challengers, is also a formidable contender.

Callum Turner, who has made a strong impression in the Fantastic Beasts film series and Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, is also in the final running. Amy Pascal, a producer on the next installment, said, “Following Craig is no easy task,” adding, “We’re approaching this very carefully because the successor has to be someone with a distinct and different appeal.”

Acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve joins the project as the next Bond girl takes shape

The next 007 project, targeted for release in 2028, is already building anticipation with its creative team. Denis Villeneuve, who sparked a visual revolution with the Dune films, will direct, while Steven Knight, writer of the British series Peaky Blinders, will pen the screenplay, adding depth to the film.

Meanwhile, competition is heating up over casting for the Bond girl, another key part of the franchise. According to betting site BetOnline, Margaret Qualley, recently in the spotlight for The Substance, is leading the odds, with Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney and Furiosa star Anya Taylor-Joy close behind, hinting at a range of possible casting scenarios.