The race to become the next James Bond appears to be moving closer to its final chapter, with Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and several other contenders reportedly making it through the latest stages of casting. As speculation around the coveted 007 role intensifies, Turner's latest business move has added another talking point to the conversation, particularly with wife Dua Lipa also linked to the franchise.

With screen tests reportedly underway and former Bond cast members weighing in on the future of the spy series, the timing has certainly given fans plenty to dissect.

There is more to the story than a simple change in business responsibilities. According to The Sun, Callum Turner, 36, has resigned as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, the production company he established with Dua Lipa in August 2025. The couple had reportedly founded the venture with equal shares, intending to develop film and television projects, following a model similar to Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment. The company's registered activities include film and television production.

The development has attracted attention because Turner's name continues to circulate among the contenders for 007. He and Lipa had launched the company as a joint creative venture, but the singer has now appointed lawyer David Farquharson as a director, as per The Sun. Meanwhile, Turner stepping away from his directorial position has prompted speculation that the actor could be preparing to commit himself to the demanding responsibilities of the Bond franchise. 

The timing of the latest reports is nevertheless interesting. Screen tests for the next Bond reportedly took place at Bray Studios in Berkshire over the October 30 weekend, with Turner among the actors said to have auditioned. Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor are also among the names linked to the final selection, although Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm its choice.

The Secret to a Stress-Free Wedding? Dua Lipa Shares the Best Advice She and Callum Turner Followed

While the casting conversation continues to revolve around familiar names, there is another question surrounding the franchise: what should the next era of 007 actually look like?

Ben Whishaw, who played Q opposite Daniel Craig in three Bond films, has offered his perspective on the creative challenge awaiting the next team.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Whishaw explained that the world had changed considerably since the release of No Time to Die in 2021. 

"The world has changed so much since the last Bond film so you have to find what is relevant about it," he said. 

He also believes the franchise "needs to be reinvented completely," although he was quick to add that the decision is not his to make. The actor also described the treatment of Q's sexuality as unsatisfying, suggesting that the character's brief reference to a male date deserved more exploration.

With the casting process reportedly reaching its final stages, the next 007 announcement could reshape the conversation around one of cinema's most enduring characters. 

Jacob Elordi Out of the Race to Play ‘James Bond’ as Casting Search Continues

Do you think Callum Turner would make a convincing James Bond? Share your thoughts in the comments.