Callum Turner has sparked fresh speculation that he could be the next James Bond after reportedly stepping down as a director of the production company he founded with his wife, Dua Lipa.
The actor, who has been strongly linked with the iconic 007 role in recent months, resigned as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, which he launched with the pop star last August.
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The couple had set up the company with equal shares, with plans to develop film and television projects similar to Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap.
While there has been no confirmation that Turner's decision is connected to the Bond casting process, it comes at an interesting time, with screen tests reportedly taking place this week.
The search for Daniel Craig's replacement has been underway since his final appearance in No Time To Die in 2021.
According to The Wrap, the shortlist includes Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor, alongside an unnamed actor whose identity has not been revealed.
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Jack O’Connell and Jacob Elordi will not be taking part in the upcoming screen tests. It remains unclear when an official decision on the next 007 will be announced
Earlier this month, Saoirse Ronan played down speculation that her husband Jack Lowden is set to become the next James Bond, insisting the couple are more focused on everyday life.
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The Scottish actor has been strongly linked with the iconic role in recent months, with reports suggesting producers are considering him to replace Daniel Craig as 007.
The rumours were given fresh attention after Lowden's Slow Horses co-star Sir Gary Oldman appeared to suggest that the actor had already been chosen.
Oldman previously claimed that Lowden was the new Bond and suggested the announcement could be coming soon, saying he had his fingers crossed for his co-star.
However, Ronan has now insisted that she and Lowden have not even discussed the possibility.
Speaking to the Associated Press, the Irish actress said: “I mean, well Gary Oldman thinks he's James Bond, which is its own thing.”
She added: “I mean, we're kind of getting on with our life to be honest, we have plenty of other things to be dealing with, so yeah, it's not really a subject that's coming up in our house to be honest.”
Ronan continued: “The dog needs to be walked, the dinner needs to be made, we're more focused on that.”
As for Lowden, she said: “Jack's on Slow Horses right now, and he's having a good time on that.”
Ronan and Lowden, who married in 2024, welcomed their first child in September 2025.
The Bond speculation comes as anticipation continues to build around the next instalment of the long-running franchise.
Back in August, it was revealed that the identity of the next 007 could be announced before the end of 2026.
Amy Pascal, the former Sony Pictures chair who is producing the next Bond film, said the end of the year was a “good bet” for the new actor to be revealed.
“I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” Pascal told Deadline.
She added: “We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different.”
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The 26th Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for films including Dune, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the screenplay.
The casting process officially began in May, with several major stars linked to the role.
Among the names to have been mentioned is Callum Turner, who has received public backing from George Clooney.
Clooney, who directed Turner in The Boys in the Boat, said: “I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond. I think he would be a great Bond.”
“He’s the perfect guy to do it. He is tall and handsome and charming and British,” he added.
Turner has also addressed the speculation himself, insisting he has no inside information about the casting process.
“I know as much as you do – really, I know as much as you do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
“It is such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.”
Other actors linked with the role include Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson and Barry Keoghan.
Keoghan recently played down the possibility of becoming Bond, saying: “It’s nice to see your name go up there, but I don’t think I fit the criteria for James Bond.”
The Dublin actor instead said he would prefer to play one of Bond's enemies.
“I’d rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, that’s more me,” he said.
Idris Elba has also previously addressed his long-running connection to the role, admitting that he never considered himself a realistic contender.
“I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing,” Elba told GQ. “James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it.”
