The latest James Bond screen tests have begun, which means it’s possible that as you read this, an actor is auditioning in London for the biggest role of his life, a casting call that could leave his mark on one of the world’s longest-running film franchises.
The punters — taking inspiration from The Hollywood Reporter and reports from others suggest that Jack Lowden and Callum Turner are the favorites. Both have their apparent advantages and disadvantages.
Lowden has a very likable presence on Apple TV Slow horseswhere he plays MI5 agent River Cartwright. For years, the role felt like an audition for Bond. All the things Bond does – drama, action, romance, stunts – are on display, although Lowden’s character has a rather different low-key vibe than 007. It’s a choice for everyone, and it’s a rather refreshing idea that would give the Bond writers new notes to explore with the character.
Turner looks like he grew up in a lab to play Bond, which is the best of him as a choice, but also a potential drawback if the producers want someone who feels more original. He seems to be perfect for the role – handsome, suave and classy. Between him and Lowden, Turner would probably win the sex appeal contest as well.
It looks like Jack O’Connell and Josh O’Connor are in the mix – two actors with names so similar that one wonders if sources leaked to the press have confused the two and only one of them is auditioning.
No matter who gets the role, playing Bond is much more than just fighting, joking, and pulling a Walther PPK.
There are qualities that many fringe pundits might overlook, but Bond producers certainly won’t: Bond may be a rogue character who plays by his own rules, but the actor chosen for the role must be the ultimate team man. Bond is a massive commitment that requires an actor to adhere to the highest professional standards for over a decade. The actor may not always play Bond, but he will always be a Bond and we must therefore count on him not to embarrass the franchise.
This means that the choice should be someone who, for example, is not going to speak controversially about politics, get into complicated domestic disputes, or engage in public activities. More subtly, it means someone who wants to be a pleasant brand ambassador for the role, who will treat fans with respect and playfully participate in the intense media circus that accompanies every Bond film.
They should also, preferably, not be jerks behind the scenes – missing that could make the typical nine-month production process for a Bond film much more difficult for everyone involved.
These things are true of any leading role in a film, but they are much more true of playing Bond because of the iconic importance of the character and the commitment expected across four or five films.
The last thing Team Bond wants is a scandal like the one that happened to Marvel after casting Jonathan Majors in a villain role in several films. It was a disaster and resulted in the abandonment of an announced film. Still, Majors’ role was just a villain in the middle of an ensemble cast, not a protagonist who is on camera in almost every scene.
Legendary Bond producer Cubby Broccoli once said he would cast George Lazenby for 1969. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was “the biggest mistake in 16 years”. Broccoli said the actor “just couldn’t handle success. He was so arrogant.” Lazenby only directed one Bond film before Sean Connery returned to the role. While Broccoli’s daughter Barbara, who led the Bond production team until last year, pointed out Variety in 2022, “When we break Bond, it’s a 10, 12 year commitment… Not everyone wants to do that… It’s not just about showing up for a few months of filming.”
Gn entert
