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One of the three James Bond finalists has reportedly dropped out
Josh O’Connor, one of the three reported frontrunners for the role of James Bond, has reportedly passed on the opportunity. O’Connor was named alongside Slow Horses star Jack Lowden and One Night Only‘s Callum Turner as the three finalists for the part before additional reports revealed that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult had also tested for the role.
According to reports out of the UK, O’Connor — who has become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood in recent years with roles in projects such as Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man, Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, La chimera, The History of Sound, The Mastermind, and the hit Netflix series The Crown — is planning to take time away from acting in 2027.
A British outlet has reported that Challengers star Josh O’Connor has taken himself out of the running to be the next James Bond
Citing an unnamed source, The Daily Mail reported that O’Connor “turned down the role” of James Bond as he steps away from the business for a bit after starring in five movies in 2025 and another two next year. While the outlet doesn’t elaborate any further, the phrasing “turned down the role” — at least in American English — would suggest that the part was offered to him. That has not been specifically confirmed, though.
Speaking at a screening of his stage production Golden Boy, the 36-year-old actor sounded doubtful when asked about reports that he was one of the final contenders for the coveted star-making role.
“No, no, no. We’ll see, but I doubt it,” O’Connor said, while also confirming he was taking some time off, saying, “I’m doing something in January, but then yeah, I’m taking some time out.”
The next Bond film, which will be the 26th in the storied franchise, is set to be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay. Reports indicate that the contending actors read scenes from previous 007 films such as From Russia With Love, GoldenEye and Casino Royale, rather than scenes from the new film’s screenplay.
If O’Connor was out of the running, that’d leave Jack Lowden and Callum Turner as the leading contenders, with Pattinson and Hoult also in the mix as surprise late additions. If it were a pure star power or acting decision, perhaps the decision would already be made (Pattinson -> Hoult -> the other two guys). Villeneuve might be ardent about wanting an actor whom the audience is less familiar with, however.