The Next James Bond Could Be Revealed Before Thanksgiving

The world has gone more than 5 years without a James Bond, but the wait for the new 007 announcement may be almost over. Daniel Craig last played Bond in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’, ending a 5-film run that began with ‘Casino Royale’ in 2006. Since then, the franchise has changed hands and found its creative team.

The Bond 26 team is in place. Denis Villeneuve will direct from a screenplay by ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing and Amazon MGM Studios holding creative control after a 2025 agreement with longtime custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed in May that the search for the next Bond was underway, but it said it wouldn’t comment on specifics during casting.

Now there’s a timeline. As Culture Crave reported, the new James Bond is expected to be announced before Thanksgiving. The update comes from Deadline’s Justin Kroll, who wrote on X, “Expect a decision before thanksgiving,” with the American holiday falling on November 26 this year.

The last round of auditions just finished. Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult reportedly screen-tested for 007 alongside Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor. According to Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, the screen tests took place in London in late October.

So little context on how all this went down, while Hoult and Patz were the last to be reported, my source says they were always in the final four tests and O’Connor was 11th hour addition. Expect a decision before thanksgiving

— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) November 7, 2026

Kroll also cleared up some confusion about the order of the tests. He wrote that while Hoult and Pattinson were the last to be reported, his source said they were always in the final 4 tests, and O’Connor was the 11th-hour addition. Before their names came out, he had teased that one of the mystery actors stars in a 2026 Amazon film and the other likes to wear a mask.

A November announcement would be ahead of earlier expectations. Pascal had previously suggested the end of 2026 was a good bet for an announcement, though she framed it as an expectation rather than a firm deadline. Amazon MGM has declined to comment on the reports and hasn’t confirmed a date.

"Bond… James Bond” – The first trailer for #NoTimeToDie is here! In cinemas April 2020 #Bond25 #BondJamesBond https://t.co/Xo1pSYHgbc

— James Bond (@007) December 4, 2019

The rest of the production schedule depends on this decision. Amazon MGM reportedly plans to begin production sometime in 2027, with a release expected in 2028. Villeneuve has also been finishing his work on the ‘Dune’ series before turning his full attention to Bond, and ‘Dune: Part Three’ hits theaters December 18.

Rumors have been everywhere while fans wait. British tabloid The Sun recently claimed that O’Connor would be the new 007, while Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman said Turner has the part. Cosmic Book News noted that Friedman was the reporter who called Daniel Craig’s casting over 20 years ago.

Some Bond-world figures have weighed in too. Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 4 times, reacted to the Turner report by calling him very strong, and Gary Oldman said in September that the next Bond had already been chosen. Until Amazon confirms anything, though, these are rumors.

Some popular fan picks seem to be out. Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell were both linked to the role earlier, but recent reports indicate neither took part in the latest screen tests. A mid-October rumor that Elordi would be announced “very soon” was quickly knocked down when the trades reported who was actually testing. Bond fans may have their answer within weeks.

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