The audition process reportedly encompassed stunts, camera presence and dialogue components, with between three and five actors believed to have participated.
The Hollywood Reporter identified Mr Turner, Mr Lowden and Mr O’Connor among those who took part, though at least one further candidate has not been publicly named, with Joe Alwyn widely rumoured to be in the mix.
Several high-profile names have been ruled out entirely, with Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson and Nicholas Hoult all confirmed as no longer in contention.
Amazon MGM Studios, which acquired the creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025, has offered no formal indication of when the decision will be revealed. However, producer Amy Pascal has suggested fans will not have to wait much longer. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” she said. “We are being really, really methodical. Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.”