Josh O’Connor Reportedly Withdraws From James Bond Race

A source told the Daily Mail that O’Connor, known for “Challengers” and “The History of Sound,” had turned down the role. At a screening of “Golden Boy” a week earlier, he said he was unsure he would be chosen and felt honored to be considered. He also said he was “doing something in January” before taking time out.

The casting speculation intensified after a report that O’Connor had let slip he was Bond during drinks at London’s French House pub in Soho. A “Golden Boy” colleague reportedly said O’Connor had confided in the cast after the play’s run ended on Halloween, according to The Blast. The account has not been confirmed by O’Connor.

Variety reported last week that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult had presumably auditioned for director Denis Villeneuve. Hoult has played Lex Luthor in the “Superman” films and appeared in the “X-Men” prequel trilogy; Pattinson has portrayed Batman and starred as Edward Cullen in “Twilight.” He also worked with Villeneuve on “Dune: Part Three.”

Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan praised the contenders but singled out Callum Turner, describing him as “so strong.” Brosnan and Turner previously played father and son in “The Only Living Boy in New York.”

Away from the casting debate, author Dan Jones is set to publish a Bond novella, “All In,” on November 12, according to ScreenRant. The story follows Bond and Tiffany Case as they seek a valuable gemstone in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, six years after the country’s independence from Britain.