Brosnan Praises Turner in Bond Casting Buzz
Pierce Brosnan says Callum Turner is strong as speculation grows over who will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Action/Adventure
Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 in four films, praised Callum Turner, a co-star from the 2017 drama The Only Living Boy in New York, amid reports Turner has been part of screen tests for the next Bond film. Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed the reported shortlist.
Why it matters
The next James Bond casting is a high-profile decision for one of film's longest-running franchises, and the process is drawing public attention before any official announcement. The reported candidates and the timeline for the 26th official Bond film remain unconfirmed by the studio.
Brosnan, 73, and Turner, 36, worked together on The Only Living Boy in New York in 2017. The upcoming film is reported as the 26th official Bond instalment, with production expected to begin in 2027 and release planned for 2028.
The players
Pierce Brosnan
Irish actor who portrayed James Bond in four films from GoldenEye in 1995 to Die Another Day in 2002.
Callum Turner
British actor known for the Fantastic Beasts films, The Capture, and Masters of the Air, and linked to screen tests for the next Bond film.
Amazon MGM Studios
Film studio that controls the James Bond franchise and has not confirmed the reported shortlist.
Denis Villeneuve
Canadian filmmaker who has been appointed to direct the upcoming Bond instalment.
The details
Brosnan told Vanity Fair he is following the casting speculation as an audience member and has no involvement in the decision. Reported screen tests include Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Josh O'Connor, and Denis Villeneuve has been appointed to direct with a screenplay by Steven Knight.
Timeline
2017: The Only Living Boy in New York, co-starring Brosnan and Turner, is released.
2026: Amy Pascal suggested fans could learn the next Bond's identity by the end of the year.
2027: Production on the 26th official Bond film is reported as likely to begin.
2028: A theatrical release of the 26th official Bond film is planned.
Franchise Succession
The current search follows the same pattern as the 2006 transition from Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig, when the franchise reset with Casino Royale. The reported screen tests suggest the studio is again weighing a younger lead after a multi-film run.
Viewers will not be able to see the next Bond film until its planned 2028 theatrical release, and no ticketing or streaming details have been announced. Any casting confirmation would determine which actor audiences see in the role.
The takeaway
The Bond casting process is still unofficial, so readers should treat reported candidates as speculation until Amazon MGM Studios confirms a decision. Brosnan's remarks offer a reminder that the franchise's next chapter is still being shaped behind closed doors.
Further reading
For more on big-screen franchise storylines, browse Action/Adventure coverage.
