This story originally appeared on Out.
Media reports are buzzing that the license to thrill has gone to hot Hollywood hunk Callum Turner, who has shot to No. 1 in prediction markets as the next actor to play the iconic role of secret agent 007, James Bond.
Although there's been no official announcement that the 36-year-old Brit has been cast by Amazon MGM studios, final auditions were reportedly held last week, with insiders telling Deadline that the studio screen-tested three straight stars: Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor, at Bray Studios in Berkshire, in South East England.
Now comes word from the The Sun that Turner is no longer running the production company he founded with his pop star wife, Dua Lipa. Saturday's report in the British tabloid said the One Night Only star recently stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd., a move that has fueled speculation that he may be preparing to take over for actor Daniel Craig.
Craig resigned from the role in 2021 after No Time to Die, his fifth Bond film, in which (spoiler alert) the never-say-die character was killed saving the world. Again.
"Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond," a source told The Sun. "The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers."
The Sun also reported Dua Lipa has been rumored to be a frontrunner to record the next theme song for the upcoming film, officially the 26th in the Eon productions franchise. The singer, a strong LGBTQ+ ally, reportedly tapped attorney David Farquharson as a director of the production company she and Callum founded in August 2025, three months after their wedding.
Callum was photographed in a very Bond-like pose in a white tuxedo on the red carpet for the movie premiere of Frankenstein at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in Italy in June 2025. The actor has been a Louis Vitton ambassador since November 2024.
He is also frequently seen in Dua Lipa's Instagram feed, although there's no confirmation there of his casting as Bond. The couple's most recent post on Monday showed them having fun dressing up for Halloween.
In 2024, out gay actor Luke Evans was one of the top contenders for 007, and he revealed in the September/October cover story for Out, he'd welcome the chance to play Bond.
"I was like, 'Wow, this is like crazy that I'm on this list,'" the actor told Out. "I took stock that day and I thought, 'People could see me as that role even being a gay man,' which I thought was great, and it means that we are progressing."
If the role was offered to him, Evans made it clear that he "wouldn’t turn it down," adding: "I've still got some years left in me to do stunts and shoot a gun and wear a tuxedo. I do look quite good in a tuxedo, even if I do say it myself."
Later that same year, director Luca Guadagnino addressed the question of whether the character of Bond could ever be portrayed as gay. "Guys, let's be adults in the room for a second," he said, to some applause. "There is no way around the fact that nobody would know James Bond's desires, period," Guadagnino continued. "Having said that, the important thing is that he does missions properly."
Out had speculated earlier this year that there were at least 10 trans masc or nonbinary actors well-equipped to carry the license to kill, but so far it looks like the studio is playing its cards close to its vest as yet another cis hetero actor is in its sights. We'll keep you posted.
