Search for new James Bond officially kicks off as auditions begin

Search for new James Bond officially kicks off as auditions beginJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleIan YoungsCulture reporterGetty ImagesDaniel Craig served as James Bond across 15 years and five filmsThe casting process for the new James Bond has officially begun, after years of anticipation and speculation about who will take over from Daniel Craig as 007."The search for the next James Bond is under way," Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement.Auditions have been taking place in recent weeks, according to Hollywood outlet Variety, and the statement signals the beginning of the end of the long wait for a new James Bond."While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right," Amazon added.There have been five years since the release of No Time To Die, Craig's final film as the famous spy.And there have been 15 months since Amazon MGM Studios took control of the Bond franchise.The studio has already announced that the next movie will be directed by Dune's Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.Variety reported that Nina Gold, one of Hollywood's leading casting directors, who has worked on the Paddington, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Mamma Mia! franchises, is conducting the search for a new lead actor.Who could be in the frame to play James Bond?The current bookmakers' favourites include:Callum Turner - the 36-year-old actor is the current bookies' frontrunner. He has been in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, was nominated for a Bafta for TV drama The Capture, and starred in Apple TV's Masters of the Air. He is also Dua Lipa's other half.Jacob Elordi - the Australian actor, 28, made his name in TV's Euphoria and cult hit film Saltburn, and was nominated for an Oscar this year for playing the monster in Frankenstein. The Rest Is Entertainment host Marina Hyde recen...