Amazon Closes in on Officially Casting Its New James Bond

Casting for the Daniel Craig's replacement is expected to be announced soon James Bond is more than a character. He’s a cinematic icon. Since Sean Connery first introduced audiences to Ian Fleming’s British superspy in 1962’s Dr. No, the role has become one of the most coveted assignments in Hollywood. George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have each put their own spin on 007, turning Bond into a flexible screen icon who can be suave, funny, ruthless, vulnerable, or some combination of all four. Now, after Craig’s final mission in 2021’s No Time to Die, the franchise is searching for its next Bond. The next James Bond film, commonly referred to as Bond 26, will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with Nina Gold serving as casting director. Amazon has not announced who will inherit the license to kill, but a new report from Page Six claims the studio has assembled a shortlist — and it includes several of the most in-demand actors working today. Page Six reports that screen tests for the role are expected to begin in early September. The reported shortlist includes one relatively unknown actor and five more established names. Jack Barton is reporte