The search for the next James Bond has officially begun.
Variety has learned that Amazon-MGM Studios has begun auditioning actors for the role of 007 in recent weeks, seeking Nina Gold’s help in finding a man with the calmness and danger needed to replace Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s super spy.
“The search for the next James Bond is ongoing,” Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement. “While we do not plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we look forward to sharing further news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Gold did not respond to requests for comment, but a person familiar with the production confirmed her involvement. Her inclusion as the 26th James Bond makes sense. Gold understands the complexities of large-scale series and is best known for portraying the world of Westeros on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” Her credits include the Netflix series “The Crown” and five films in the Star Wars series. The latter gig saw him cast Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Force Awakens. Gold’s credits also include “Les Misérables,” “The Martian” and “The Conclave.” She received an Oscar nomination in 2025 for “Hamnet.” This year was the first year the Academy awarded casting awards.
Debbie McWilliams was a casting director on The Living Daylights, GoldenEye and Casino Royale, where she helped discover Craig, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton. Sean Connery, Roger Moore and George Lazenby are other actors given license to kill by Bond.
The next James Bond movie will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind the Dune, Arrival, and Sicario films. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal (Spider-Man) and David Heyman (Harry Potter), and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Tanya Lapointe (Dune) will serve as executive producer.
Even before auditions began, speculation was rife as to who would control Bond’s Walther PPK, with everyone from Jacob Elordi to Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson rumored to be in contention for the role.
At CinemaCon last month, Amazon MGM’s head of film Courtney Valenti provided a small update on Bond casting.
“We are taking our time, carefully and with deep respect,” she said. “Bringing the next chapter to audiences has been a lifelong dream for all of us, and a responsibility we cannot take lightly. All I can say is that one of the most beloved series in history has been brought to life by the brilliant director Denis Villeneuve, the extraordinary producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, and the producer. Teaming up with a world-class filmmaking team, including executive producer Tanya Lapointe and screenwriter Steven Knight, means we truly set the stage for that film to live up to the Bond legacy, and we’ll have much more to share when the time comes. ”
