George Clooney has thrown his support behind actor Callum Turner as speculation continues over who will take on the role of James Bond following Daniel Craig’s departure from the franchise.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, actor and director George Clooney said he believed Turner would be an ideal choice for the iconic 007 role, praising both his screen presence and natural fit for the part.
Clooney, who directed Turner in the 2023 film The Boys in the Boat, said the British actor had the qualities needed to step into one of cinema’s most famous roles.
“I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond. I think he would be a great Bond,” Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter.
He went further in his praise, describing Turner as someone who fits the traditional image of the character.
“He’s the perfect guy to do it. He is tall and handsome and charming and British,” Clooney said in the same interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Callum Turner and Dua Lipa. MLM IMAGES Los Angeles, Shutterstock
Turner, who recently married singer Dua Lipa, has been linked to Bond speculation in recent months alongside other potential candidates including Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, and Jack Lowden.
Adding further intrigue, rumours have suggested that Turner’s partner, pop superstar Dua Lipa, could potentially record the next Bond theme song if he lands the role.
However, the actor himself has remained cautious about the rumours. Speaking separately to The Hollywood Reporter, Turner said he had no insider knowledge about the casting process.
“I know as much as you do – really, I know as much as you do,” he said.
He added that the constant speculation around the role had become an unusual experience.
“It is such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing,” Turner said in comments reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The next James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with writer Steven Knight attached to the project.
Denis Villeneuve is a widely recognized filmmaker, for Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario and more. Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock
It marks the first entry in the franchise since Amazon MGM took full creative control in 2025, following Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007 in No Time to Die in 2021. Craig had previously played the character across five films, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006.
Meanwhile, discussion around who should inherit the role continues to dominate entertainment circles, with industry figures and fans weighing in on what direction the franchise should take next.
Idris Elba. Photo credit, DFree, Shutterstock.
Former Bond contender Idris Elba has also revisited long-running speculation about his own connection to the role in an interview with GQ.
Elba, who has been frequently mentioned by fans as a potential 007, said he never viewed himself as a realistic candidate.
“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.”
He also reflected on the global expectations surrounding the character and why he believes casting decisions would always be closely scrutinised.
“I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that. Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.” Elba told GQ.
Elba added that while Bond is fictional, the role still carries real-world audience expectations that shape how it is received internationally.
“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try and answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond,” he said in the same GQ interview.
Among the names generating attention is Barry Keoghan, although the Dublin actor recently appeared to distance himself from the idea of becoming Bond.
“(James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that,” Keoghan said when asked about the speculation.
“It’s nice to see your name go up there, but I don’t think I fit the criteria for James Bond.”
Instead, the Oscar-nominated actor admitted he would rather play one of Bond’s enemies.
“I’d rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, that’s more me.”
Keoghan’s comments have only added to the growing fascination surrounding the next phase of the franchise, with many fans believing the new Bond could take the series in a very different direction.
Callum Turner has starred in 'Masters of the Air' with Barry Keoghan and Austin Butler. DFree, Shutterstock
Meanwhile, another major British music name has also entered the conversation.
Following the huge success of their 2025 reunion tour, Oasis are reportedly among the acts being considered for the next Bond theme song, with Noel Gallagher openly admitting he would love to be involved.
Speaking recently, Gallagher said writing a Bond theme would be a “huge honour”, joking that the role should stay in British hands rather than going to “the Yanks”.
He also revealed he had previously written songs inspired by Bond films and even joked about appearing in the movie himself as a “Mancunian villain”.
With casting now officially underway and a powerhouse creative team assembling behind the scenes, anticipation is continuing to build around what could become one of the most significant reinventions in Bond history.
