George Clooney has publicly championed Callum Turner as his pick for the next James Bond, praising the actor’s look, charisma, and ability to stand out amid industry noise. The endorsement lands as Amazon MGM Studios confirms Denis Villeneuve will direct the n
George Clooney didn’t pick his favorite name in the James Bond race with much caution. In a profile published June 10, the actor pointed directly to Callum Turner, saying he “hope[s] Callum [Turner] ends up being the next Bond” and describing the 36-year-old as “the perfect guy to do it.”
Clooney’s pitch came with specific, personal details. Turner. Clooney said. is “tall and handsome and charming and British. ” a combination Clooney implied fits what audiences want from the role. He also argued Turner hasn’t coasted on fame: “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.’”.
Turner, for his part, has been playing coy about the possibility. When asked about the odds, he said, “I know as much as you do — really, I know as much as you do,” and added that he was “not going to comment on” whether he would accept the role, if offered.
Turner’s résumé is built for big franchises and mainstream audiences. He starred in the Clooney-directed “The Boys in the Boat” in 2023. and he also has experience with large-scale series after appearing in the “Fantastic Beasts” films from the “Harry Potter” universe and in 2016’s “Assassin’s Creed.” More recently. he came into wider focus through roles in “Masters of the Air. ” the 2017 film “The Only Living Boy in New York. ” and the recent rom-com “Eternity.”.
All of that comes as the Bond machine keeps moving behind the scenes. Amazon MGM Studios has already announced that Denis Villeneuve. the director of “Dune. ” will direct the next “James Bond” film. and he will serve as executive producer. Amazon MGM Studios also confirmed in May that “the search for the next James Bond is underway. ” though it has not cast a star.
Daniel Craig, the most recent Bond, retired from the role with 2021’s “No Time to Die.” Before Craig, the franchise featured Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and Sean Connery, all of whom played the super spy based on Ian Fleming’s character in the books.
There has also been ongoing debate about what the next era of Bond should look like. In 2020. longtime Bond series producer Barbara Broccoli told Variety that the character must remain male. but “can be of any color.” Amazon MGM Studios has since taken control of the franchise following a 2025 agreement with Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
For now. the public fight over the next 007 is less about scripts and more about casting—what kind of screen presence will define the role next. Clooney’s endorsement gives Turner momentum. but Turner’s own refusal to confirm anything keeps the race open. with Villeneuve’s confirmed leadership only raising the pressure to land the right lead.
George Clooney Callum Turner James Bond 007 Denis Villeneuve Amazon MGM Studios The Boys in the Boat Dune Daniel Craig No Time to Die