Final Screen Tests Underway: Next James Bond Reportedly Down to 2 Actors Still in the Running—Here’s What’s Known

The reported shortlist

After years of speculation involving numerous performers, reports now say the next James Bond race has narrowed to two actors. Final screen tests for “Bond 26” are reportedly happening.

The article does not name the two people said to remain in the running. It lists earlier rumored candidates including James Norton, Jack Barton, Jacob Elordi, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Paul Mescal, Harrison Dickinson, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey, Aaron Pierre, Damson Idris, Dev Patel and Jack O’Connell.

Callum addresses rumors

Asked by THR in June 2026 about possibly becoming Bond, Callum said, “I know as much as you do—really, I know as much as you do.” He said friends and acquaintances had contacted him about the speculation, even though he had no information. Callum described the situation as amusing and said he knew nothing.

A separate Bond ambition

In August, an unnamed woman told Empire she wanted to be considered for a part in Bond 26. She said she was interested in playing a villain. “I want to go dark,” she said, adding that she was serious about wanting to be a Bond villain. The article does not provide her name.