Villeneuve says James Bond casting is still underway

Denis Villeneuve says casting for the next James Bond film is still underway and that he is accelerating the process, but no successor to Daniel Craig has been named. In an interview with GQ, the director said the search was “in the process” and added, “I am pushing the gas.”

Villeneuve also described the responsibility he feels in taking on the long-running franchise. “We cannot f- it up. We do not have the choice,” he said, reflecting on the expectations surrounding the film. His comments signal progress in the search but do not identify a chosen actor or confirm a shortlist.

Several performers have been linked to the role in reports, including Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult, Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor. Pattinson and Hoult were reported to have screen-tested, while the other names have also been associated with the search. Amazon MGM Studios has not announced an official shortlist or confirmed any candidate as the next Bond.

An anonymous source was cited in one report as saying O’Connor had withdrawn from consideration. Neither O’Connor nor Amazon MGM confirmed that account, so his status remains unverified. The reports about possible candidates do not...