Callum Turner: The Frontrunner to Become the New James Bond
Turner Emerges as Leading Candidate for 007 Role
Callum Turner has emerged as the frontrunner in recent months, having usurped Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the leading contender for the role after being consistently linked for the past few months. The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise star has seen his odds steadily narrow over the past year and is now the red hot favourite to step into 007’s handmade shoes for the first time – priced at 5/6. The speculation reached fever pitch when British actor Callum Turner has reportedly been telling his friends that he has been cast as the new 007.
What Makes This Rumour Different?
The Bond casting process has historically been shrouded in secrecy, but recent developments suggest something substantial is underway. It started with a Saturday piece from The Daily Mail claiming that Callum Turner was a done deal to play James Bond. The Times and The Independent are also acting as if Turner is a done deal. The rumours gained additional credibility when Turner was spotted on holiday with his partner, Dua Lipa, in Jamaica where they stayed at Goldeneye, the former estate of author Ian Fleming which is now a hotel.
Who is Callum Turner?
Callum Turner is 35 years old, having been born in Hammersmith, London on 15 February 1990. The British actor has built an impressive CV over recent years. His breakout role came as Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films, part of the Harry Potter franchise. He later earned praise for his performance in the 2023 film The Boys in the Boat, directed by George Clooney, and for playing Major John “Bucky” Egan in Apple TV’s Masters of the Air. He comes from a working-class background like Sean Connery and Daniel Craig.
The Bond 26 Production Timeline
The next entry in the spy franchise has its director (Denis Villeneuve) and screenwriter (Steven Knight), but the lead actor remains unconfirmed. Casting won’t formally begin until Villeneuve wraps ‘Dune: Part Three.’ Production on Bond 26 is expected to kick off in 2027, with a release planned for 2028. It will be the first Bond movie since Amazon gained full creative control of the franchise, with long-serving producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping down.
What This Means for Bond Fans
If confirmed, Turner’s casting would mark a significant moment for the franchise. Turner would actually be the third-youngest Bond if he was cast, after George Lazenby and Sean Connery. The choice of a relatively young actor suggests Amazon’s intention to secure someone for multiple films over the next decade. Adding intrigue to the speculation, Turner’s fiancée is popstar Dua Lipa, who has been hotly tipped as one of the contenders to perform the new Bond theme song. While no official announcement has been made, the convergence of multiple sources and Turner’s alleged comments suggest an announcement may be imminent. For now, Bond fans worldwide await confirmation on who will next utter those famous words: “Bond. James Bond.”