Who Is the Next James Bond? 6 Actors Shortlisted for the Iconic Role To Screen-Test in September

Sean Connery and Daniel Craig became household names when they donned the tuxedo and sipped the martini—shaken, not stirred. Now, Amazon MGM Studios has reportedly shortlisted six names to take on the iconic role, five years since Craig headlined 'No Time to Die.'

Leaks suggest the six actors are Jack Barton, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden, Paul Mescal and Callum Turner. The casting is one of the most anticipated news stories in film, with Bond under a new studio and 'Dune's' Denis Villeneuve directing.

Who Is Jack Barton?

Jack Barton may be unfamiliar to many, which is partly why social media users are rooting for him to get the role. Craig was also relatively unknown when he landed James Bond at 38.

Barton, 31, has appeared in 'Poor Things,' 'Heartstopper' and 'SAS: Rogue Heroes.' Though these are major projects, his supporting roles have kept him largely under the radar.

According to Kalshi Film, a regulated financial prediction market, Barton has 37% odds of taking the role as of 27 August. He and the five other candidates are reportedly set for screen tests in September.

Oscar-Nominated Paul Mescal

If Barton is the most unknown among the six actors, Mescal and Elordi are the more popular candidates. However, Mescal has the lowest odds (8%) of becoming the next James Bond, according to Kalshi Film.

Many prefer that the Oscar-nominated 30-year-old actor continue doing the dramas he is widely known for. Mescal is currently filming the multi-part Beatles biopic where he plays Paul McCartney alongside Dickinson's John Lennon.

Harris Dickinson's Screen Presence

Thirty-year-old Harris Dickinson has been in many high-profile films, sharing the screen with some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Angelina Jolie in 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,' Nicole Kidman in 'Babygirl' and Ralph Fiennes in 'The King's Man.'

He has also proven himself as a solo lead in the film 'Beach Rats,' earning an acting nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. Kalshi Film has Dickinson's odds at 13% in becoming the next James Bond.

Jack Lowden: From MI5 to MI6

Playing an agent is nothing new to Jack Lowden, who plays an MI5 agent on 'Slow Horses.' He has a 22% chance of playing the famous MI6 agent, according to Kalshi Film.

The 36-year-old Scottish actor has over 30 projects in film and television. Later this year, he will also take on another iconic character, playing Mr. Darcy in the Netflix series 'Pride and Prejudice.'

Callum Turner: The Oldest Candidate

At 36, Callum Turner is the oldest candidate on the shortlist—senior than Lowden by a few months. He is the second favourite to play the role of Bond with odds set at 24%.

He has had major roles in film and television, such as 'The Boys in the Boat' and 'Masters of the Air.' He also draws public attention for his high-profile marriage to singer Dua Lipa.

Jacob Elordi: Youngest Candidate

At 29, Elordi will be the same age as George Lazenby when the latter took over the Bond role from Connery in 1969's 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service.' Elordi is also Australian like Lazenby—the only Australian to ever take on the role.

The next Bond will be the seventh actor to step into the role in the official Eon Productions series. Since 1962, the franchise has produced 25 films, the most recent released in 2021.