According to Variety on 14/5, Amazon MGM Studios has been holding auditions for the 007 spy character in recent weeks, and has invited casting director Nina Gold to participate in selecting the lead actor.

Actor Daniel Craig is one of the prominent figures who played the lead role in the "James Bond" series. Photo: Eon Productions

Experts believe that inviting Nina Gold indicates that Amazon MGM is approaching the new James Bond casting process cautiously, aiming to find an actor with the necessary charisma, appeal, and demeanor to continue the 007 legacy. She has experience assembling casts for major franchises such as Game of Thrones, The Crown, and multiple installments of Star Wars. Additionally, she participated in casting for Les Miserables, The Martian, and Conclave. At the 2026 Oscars, she was nominated for Achievement in Casting for Hamnet.

Previously, Debbie McWilliams was responsible for casting numerous films such as The Living Daylights, GoldenEye, and Casino Royale, helping to cast Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig as the famous spy.

Casting director Nina Gold. Photo: IMDb

The 26th installment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune, Arrival, and Sicario. The project also brings together a renowned team including producers Amy Pascal (Spider-Man), David Heyman (Harry Potter), screenwriter Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), and Tanya Lapointe as executive producer. Previously, names like Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were often mentioned as potential candidates for the new James Bond role.

At the CinemaCon event in the US last month, Amazon MGM's head of film, Courtenay Valenti, stated that the studio is approaching the project with care and respect for the brand's legacy. According to her, combining an iconic film brand with a world-class production team ensures that future installments maintain the quality and standing of the series.

In 2021, Amazon spent USD 8.5 billion to acquire MGM Studios, gaining distribution rights to the popular James Bond spy series. However, Amazon only held 50% of the brand and acted as a passive partner in creative decisions.

In February, after a long delay for the series since No Time to Die (2021), Amazon MGM, along with producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, formed a joint venture, giving Amazon full creative control over upcoming 007 films.

Trailer for "No Time to Die" (2021), the 25th James Bond film. Video: CGV

James Bond (007) is one of the world's longest-running action franchises. Experts estimate total revenue has exceeded USD 14 billion. The series began with Dr. No (1962), featuring British super-spy James Bond, played by Sean Connery. To date, the franchise has spanned 25 films with three lead actor changes.

Critics consider James Bond's strength to be his image as a dashing spy. The character differs significantly from typical muscular action heroes. 007 is also regarded by fashion experts as an icon of sophistication. The character always appears in custom-tailored suits and drives classic Aston Martin cars. Additionally, Bond always knows how to charm female characters.

Cat Tien (according to Variety, Hollywood Reporter)