Jacob Elordi Emerges as James Bond Frontrunner Amid Fan Backlash

Jacob Elordi has emerged as the rumored frontrunner to play James Bond in the franchise's next film after entertainment reporter Jeff Sneider claimed the screen-testing process had concluded. The October 21 report from ComicBook.com named Elordi and Scottish actor Jack Lowden among the candidates, but Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed a casting decision or announced Daniel Craig's successor.

Sneider claimed Elordi had secured the role and that an official announcement would come soon. The report has fueled debate among fans about whether the 29-year-old Australian actor fits the British secret agent, although the studio has not verified the claim.

Online reactions have included criticism of Elordi's suitability for the character, with one fan calling the rumored choice "Temu 007." Some viewers questioned whether he could embody Bond, while others objected to an Australian actor potentially taking the role of the famously British spy.

Elordi first gained widespread attention through Netflix's The Kissing Booth trilogy before portraying Nate Jacobs in HBO's Euphoria. His subsequent credits include Priscilla, Saltburn and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, in which his dramatic performance as the creature drew attention.

At 6 feet 5 inches, Elordi would be the tallest actor to portray Bond in the film franchise, according to ComicBook.com. The outlet compared his height with Sean Connery, who stood 6 feet 2 inches, and Daniel Craig, who stood 5 feet 10 inches.

Australian nationality would not automatically disqualify Elordi from the role. George Lazenby, also Australian, played Bond in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, while Irish actor Pierce Brosnan portrayed the spy in four films beginning with GoldenEye in 1995. Connery was Scottish, as is Lowden, another reported contender.

Lowden, 36, is best known for playing MI5 agent River Cartwright opposite Gary Oldman in the television series Slow Horses. His other credits include Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots and The Gold, giving him experience in espionage-related roles.

A separate ComicBasics report published October 19 showed how expectations had shifted during the casting speculation. On Kalshi, Lowden and Callum Turner were tied at 32% each, while Josh O'Connor stood at 23%, with trading volume exceeding $2.5 million. These figures reflected market expectations rather than verified information about the studio's decision.

Earlier in October, Kalshi's market report had placed Lowden at 44%, Turner at 39% and Jack O'Connell at 11%. The figures changed after Global James Bond Day passed on October 5 without a casting announcement. On Polymarket, the leading outcome was that no Bond had been selected, at approximately 34%, followed by Lowden at 33% and Turner at 18.7%.

Amazon MGM Studios assumed creative control of the franchise in 2025 following an agreement with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Denis Villeneuve, known for directing Dune, was confirmed as director on June 25, 2025, while Steven Knight is writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing, with Nina Gold overseeing casting.

In April, studio film chief Courtenay Valenti addressed expectations surrounding the announcement at CinemaCon. "Now, I know you're all wondering when we're going to announce who’s playing James Bond," Valenti said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Valenti also said that bringing the franchise together with a world-class creative team would establish the foundation for a film worthy of Bond's legacy. The studio subsequently confirmed on May 14, 2026, that the search for Craig's successor was underway, without identifying any candidates.

According to ComicBasics, an anonymous source cited by TheWrap cautioned that casting claims should not be trusted until the screenplay is delivered and screen tests can take place. Villeneuve was also reported to have personally contacted actors who advanced to a further audition round scheduled for August, although the number of finalists remains unknown.

The production timeline remains separate from the unconfirmed casting claims. Deadline has reported a target release in November 2028, with filming not expected to begin before 2027. Craig's final Bond film, No Time to Die, was released in 2021 after his five-film run began with Casino Royale in 2006.

Craig initially faced criticism when he was announced as Brosnan's successor in 2005, according to ComicBook.com, before his portrayal won over audiences with Casino Royale the following year. Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm whether Elordi, Lowden or another actor will become the next 007.