The search for the next Bond continues, with the usual three names being mentioned: Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Harris Dickinson. However, there are surely other lesser-known names in the running at the moment.
One of those three is now out of the running.
During a discussion on THE HOT MIC podcast, Jeff Sneider reported that Dickinson has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the 007 role. According to Sneider, Dickinson was previously considered a top-tier candidate, ranking within the top four on the studio’s shortlist.
The rumor is that Dickinson personally contacted Bond producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal this week to remove himself from the running. The primary reason cited for this decision was exhaustion; Dickinson reportedly felt too tired to commit to another long-term, demanding franchise project like Bond after recently concluding the taxing commitment of playing John Lennon across four “Beatles” movies for director Sam Mendes.
It was always hard to imagine Dickinson as Bond, but apparently he had advanced to the final stages alongside a handful of other contending actors. As I previously reported, Amazon’s top choice is Elordi, but the studio technically doesn’t have the final say, although I’m sure it has the power to influence the process.
Denis Villeneuve, Heyman, and Pascal recently began notifying actors who have advanced to the next round of auditions. The next tests are expected to take place in August, with Villeneuve himself reportedly reaching out directly to the talent. The process is moving into a more decisive stage, but the names of those still in contention remain under wraps.
Several studio executives told Page Six that Amazon/MGM is reportedly looking for a younger actor—preferably under 30—who can carry the franchise across five films, much like Daniel Craig did during his 15-year run as 007, which began in 2006.
The expectation is that a lead actor could be chosen by the end of 2026, allowing production to begin sometime in 2027. Villeneuve was hired to direct and brought on writer Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”) to shape the script, which is still being written.
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