The search for the next James Bond is officially underway, and while fans eagerly await Amazon MGM’s decision, one Hollywood legend has already made up his mind.
George Clooney has publicly endorsed Callum Turner as his pick to take over the iconic role from Daniel Craig.
“I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond,” Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published on June 10. “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’s Endorsement Carries Weight
Clooney’s opinion comes from firsthand experience. He directed the 36-year-old British actor in the 2023 sports drama The Boys in the Boat. The veteran actor didn’t stop at praising Turner’s physical attributes for the role; he also commended the Fantastic Beasts star’s career trajectory.
“He hasn’t just gone for the easy paychecks — he’s done really interesting work,” Clooney said. “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.’ It’s exciting to watch people saying, ‘That guy — that’s a guy I want to follow and pay attention to.'”
Turner’s Response: A Mix of Humor and Genuine Ignorance
Despite being a hot favorite among bookmakers and fans alike, Turner insists he knows nothing about the casting process. When asked directly by The Hollywood Reporter, he responded with a laugh, “I know as much as you do — really, I know as much as you do.”
Turner also chose to remain coy about his interest level. “I’m not going to comment on that,” he said when asked if he would even want the part.
The Surreal Side of Rumor Mills
Perhaps the most relatable part of Turner’s interview was his description of the bizarre social ripple effect caused by being linked to a top-secret project.
“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!” he explained. “It’s such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.”
The Official Hunt for 007
The speculation was reignited recently when Amazon MGM Studios formally announced that the search for the next Bond had begun. The studio confirmed that Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next installment, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight attached to write the script.
This marks the first Bond film since Amazon gained full creative control over the franchise from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in February 2025.
The Long List of Contenders
While Clooney has thrown his weight behind Turner, he isn’t the only name in the ring. British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Euphoria star Jacob Elordi have also been consistently mentioned as frontrunners for the role over the past several months.
For now, Turner seems content to let the rumor mill spin while he focuses on his work, which recently included starring in Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air. But whether he ends up with a license to kill or not, he has at least one very powerful fan in his corner. “I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond,” Clooney reiterated. “He’s the perfect guy to do it.”
