Callum Turner Becomes James Bond Favourite as Pierce Brosnan Endorses Him

Callum Turner has emerged as the strongest contender to play James Bond ten days after final screen tests, with bookmaker William Hill cutting his odds from 3/1 to 8/13 and former 007 Pierce Brosnan publicly backing him in a new interview. Producer Amy Pascal has said the casting news is likely to land by the end of the year.

From 3/1 to 8/13: the betting market flips to Turner

The odds swung sharply at William Hill: Turner was 3/1 before the weekend, now 8/13, according to Theguardian. Jack Lowden, the previous favorite, sits at 2/1, Josh O’Connor at 9/2, and Richard Madden, Robert Pattinson and Joe Alwyn share 16/1.

The flurry followed reports that Turner had resigned as director of his production company, Twentytwo Films Ltd, which he founded last August with his wife, the musician Dua Lipa — a step some read as clearing his schedule for Bond. The couple also posted Halloween photos of themselves sipping martinis, the spy’s signature cocktail.

Pierce Brosnan backs Callum Turner in race to become next James Bond

All three men — Turner, Lowden and O’Connor — are 36-year-old white, heterosexual film stars, which means that whichever one wins, Amazon MGM’s incoming owners will not deviate much from Ian Fleming’s template. Turner is presently filming two projects: Possession, a horror from the filmmaker behind the Smile franchise, and Marielle Heller’s The Comebacker, a sports comedy featuring Tom Hanks.

Brosnan Backs Turner: ‘He’s so strong’

Brosnan, who played 007 in four films between 1995 and 2002, told Vanity Fair he keeps up with the chatter only as an audience member now — but he singled out Turner, whom he directed opposite in 2017’s The Only Living Boy in New York, where Turner played his son.

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All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire. Callum is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong. They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men.

Pierce Brosnan, former James Bond, in Vanity Fair

He added that whoever gets the part deserves the very best of life and strength and courage, and he predicted audiences will be blown away by Denis Villeneuve, calling the Dune director’s work truly magnificent.

Brosnan has also weighed in on criticism of the franchise itself, telling the same interview that after Helen Mirren blasted Bond as sexist, she let them have it — while conceding there is a certain world and room to move within what Ian Fleming wrote.

Callum Turner has reportedly been cast as the next James Bond (Source: @showbiz411) pic.twitter.com/JaVj5kDbM8

— https://x.com/ComicBook/status/2117351015364415955

Brosnan described himself as Oh, I’m just an audience member now. I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history. He added: 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.

On Villeneuve, Brosnan said: I think we are going to be blown away. I really do. [Villeneuve] is such an iconoclastic director. His work is visionary, and his stealth and imagination of camera work and storytelling is so visceral and sensuous. It’s going to be great. It’s going to be truly magnificent. He continued: But Villeneuve is someone who I have great admiration for, and I look forward to seeing the work.

Pierce Brosnan thinks 'strong' Callum Turner would be a fitting James Bond

Regarding Mirren’s assessment, Brosnan reacted to her view that the whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism.

Oldman confirms casting decision

Turner is reportedly one of four performers invited to final screen tests, alongside Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and an unnamed actor, according to TheWrap. Gary Oldman, Lowden’s Slow Horses co-star, told Canada’s Global News in September that he believed the decision was already made: They have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet.

Callum Turner Becomes James Bond Favourite as Pierce Brosnan Endorses Him — Photo: aol.com

O’Connor, asked by British GQ about the speculation, kept his cool: 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. He called the moment extraordinary — an incredibly bizarre pinch-me moment … even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that.

O’Connor began his response with Oh, Christ… It’s all very flattering. Lowden told British GQ that the rumors linking him to the role were all very flattering, adding of Oldman: It’s very nice, and Gary’s a sweetheart — it’s particularly lovely, coming from someone like him.

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Final auditions are believed to be taking place in London. Additional names rumored earlier include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, James Norton, Damson Idris, Henry Cavill, Theo James, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Jamie Dornan.

Amazon Sets 2028 Release for Next Bond

The casting race is the first under Amazon MGM Studios, which took creative control of the franchise in February 2025, when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson sold the rights in a deal. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing, Villeneuve is directing and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing; the 26th film is slated for release in 2028.

James Bond: Reports Suggest Callum Turner May Be Our New 007

Broccoli, who retains some ownership of the character, has said the new Bond will be a man and He’ll likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given. Knight has promised a film that is the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder. Whoever takes the role will follow Daniel Craig, whose final outing, 2021’s No Time to Die, ended with Bond apparently dying before a title card promised: James Bond will return. The official films have grossed $7.8bn, the fifth-highest total in history — and the wait now stretches from a possible announcement by the end of this year to a 2028 release.

The first actor to play Bond was Scottish star Sean Connery in 1962’s Dr No. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson ceded full creative control to Amazon MGM Studios but remain co-owners of the franchise, and Villeneuve is the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Dune. Proceeds from merchandise and sponsorship deals are estimated to far exceed the $7.8bn box office figure.