The casting process for the next actor to lead the James Bond franchise seems to be nearing an end.
Back in May, five years after Daniel Craig’s last outing as the iconic British spy in No Time To Die, 007 bosses confirmed that they’d officially begun “the search for the next James Bond”.
“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” a spokesperson said, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi all thought to be the hot favourites for the role at that time.
On Wednesday, Page Six reported that the next stage of the process was screen tests, with six actors left in consideration.
According to the outlet’s “insiders” Jack Barton is bosses’ new top pick for the job, after impressing filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold.
Jack is somewhat less well-known than some of the other actors previously tipped for the 007 gig, but he did play John Tonkin in SAS: Rogue Heroes and Kit Connor’s on-screen brother in Netflix’s Heartstopper.
Page Six also claimed that five more stars will be doing screen tests imminently, alleging that the previously-rumoured Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson are all still in the frame.
Interestingly, the sixth name on their list was Oscar nominee Paul Mescal, marking the first time he’s been linked with James Bond in the press in some time.
Naturally, these rumours have already sparked a lot of conversation on social media…
Jack Barton being the favorite caught me off guard a little. I've been leaning more toward Callum Turner, though especially for the look and presence 👀 https://t.co/MTWd8LHtqT
— 💗 (@dumbtwttt) August 26, 2026
wait jack fucking barton…..I didn’t know this was an option…… https://t.co/KvPlgGHAafpic.twitter.com/sFWav3BHlI
— mak (@cuckstopper) August 26, 2026
Backing Jack Barton since I have no idea who he is 🙌 https://t.co/nEQY99drvz
— ً (@marenyearly) August 26, 2026
it should be the one i’ve never heard of until now https://t.co/m0fzhBU1cO
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) August 26, 2026
The evil brother from Heartstopper !! https://t.co/oWwmIJjDUj
— gomezgalore (@gomezzgalore) August 26, 2026
Of course it has to be the less known of them all, makes no sense to have a household name get into the suit https://t.co/vAOlbIGNb3
— maybe: vics (@hugofloores) August 26, 2026
Lowden is my personal pick, but given that Barton is the true unknown, I think it's him unless another unknown somehow emergeshttps://t.co/NIuUbrugun
— Comrade Rodrigo (@yronlyhopes) August 26, 2026
Give it to an unknown actor and let’s shake up some wigs 🙏🏾 https://t.co/Ruyfpkm9LK
— Shank (@Shankballs) August 26, 2026
007: The University Years https://t.co/Gbco5wXvfn
— Doug Pembry (@Doug_Pembry) August 27, 2026
Was about to make a joke like was no one in Year 10 available but turns out he’s 31 💀 https://t.co/GfoKMS2RlK
— Ads (@adsfig5) August 26, 2026
Just watched a few snippets of Jack Barton as John Tonkin in SAS: Rogue Heroes.
I’m implore you to do the same as he does have a certain gravitas about him which I think would make him a great James Bond.
I was initially skeptical about his look, but my mind has changed. https://t.co/Nx8OE6spz4pic.twitter.com/G1LsQbwrjN— Joe G (@Movie_madness80) August 26, 2026
give em each a movie to see how they do and then pick after that https://t.co/seoTwh8uY4
— Handsome B. Charming (@CTachio83984) August 26, 2026
HuffPost UK has contacted reps for Jack Barton and Amazon MGM Studios for comment.
Earlier this year, producer Amy Pascal said the studio was looking for “something really different that is… stirring and exciting and different” in their next James Bond.
Little else is known about the next instalment in the spy franchise, other than that it will be written by Peaky Blinders and House Of Guinness creator Steven Knight.
