Five years since Daniel Craig took his final bow as 007 in No Time to Die, the hunt for the next James Bond has officially begun. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed in May that the search is underway, and with Denis Villeneuve set to direct, the next chapter of the Bond franchise already has serious pedigree behind the camera. However, one Hollywood heavyweight is not waiting around for the official announcement. George Clooney has a very clear favourite, and he is making no secret of it.
What Did George Clooney Say?
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Clooney backed British actor Callum Turner as his ideal choice to step into the iconic role.
“I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond. I think he would be a great Bond. He’s tall and handsome and charming and British, so he’s the perfect guy to do it,” Clooney told the publication.
Clooney directed Turner in the 2023 sports drama The Boys in the Boat, a film about the University of Washington rowing team’s journey to the 1936 Olympics. So his endorsement carries some genuine professional weight rather than simply being a casual comment from a fan.
He added that Turner’s career choices set him apart from the crowd:
“He hasn’t just gone for the easy paychecks. He’s done really interesting work. Somehow Callum has weaved his way through all of the noise and found a place where people look at him and go, ‘There’s something with this young man.’”
Who Is Callum Turner?
For anyone less familiar with the name, here is a quick breakdown of where Turner stands in Hollywood right now.
| Detail | Info |
| Age | 36 |
| Nationality | British |
| Notable Roles | Fantastic Beasts franchise, Masters of the Air, The Boys in the Boat, Eternity |
| Upcoming Film | One Night Only, releasing in theaters August 7 |
| Relationship | Recently married singer Dua Lipa |
Turner brings franchise experience from the Fantastic Beasts films within the Harry Potter universe, as well as the 2016 action film Assassin’s Creed. His profile has grown significantly through prestige television and film work, including Masters of the Air, yet he has not yet landed a defining leading man role at the level Bond would provide.
What Does Turner Himself Say?
Turner is playing it very cool about the whole thing, which is arguably the smartest move he could make right now.
“I know as much as you do, really, I know as much as you do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, declining to confirm any interest or conversations with producers.
He also reflected on the strange experience of being at the centre of casting speculation:
“I’ll tell you what’s so funny about the Bond thing: Even your best friends ask you, people text you that you haven’t spoken to for 10 years, and you know nothing! It’s such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.”
When asked directly if he would take the role if offered, Turner simply laughed and said,
“I’m not going to comment on that.”
Who Is Making the Next Bond Film?
The next Bond film represents a completely fresh era for the franchise. Here is what has been confirmed so far.
| Role | Name |
| Director | Denis Villeneuve (Dune) |
| Writer | Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) |
| Producers | Amy Pascal, David Heyman |
| Studio | Amazon MGM Studios |
| Lead Star | Not yet cast |
Villeneuve described taking the job as a massive personal honour, noting that Bond holds a special place in his earliest cinema memories and calling 007 “sacred territory.”
Who Else Is in the Running?
Turner is far from the only name circulating. Other actors reported as candidates for the role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi. Idris Elba, who faced years of fan speculation, has publicly dismissed his own chances as unrealistic.
As for the character itself, former producer Barbara Broccoli previously confirmed that Bond must remain male but can be of any ethnicity. However, Amazon MGM now controls the franchise following a 2025 agreement with Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, so the final direction of casting ultimately rests with them.
For now, Callum Turner remains the betting favourite across multiple online markets, and with George Clooney firmly in his corner, the momentum around his name is only growing.
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