The search for the next James Bond has officially begun.
On the 14th (local time), U.S. outlet Variety reported that Amazon MGM Studios has begun holding actor auditions for the role of 007 over the past few weeks.
The production company is said to have enlisted the help of Nina Gold to find someone with the sophistication and danger needed to replace Ian Fleming's super spy Danielle Craig.
Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement that "work to find the next James Bond is underway," adding, "We will not comment on specific details during the casting process, but when the time is right we will be able to share more news with 007 fans."
According to sources, Nina Gold, who participated in casting for HBO's Game of Thrones, has joined the auditions to find the next James Bond. Nina Gold's credits include the Netflix series The Crown, five films in the Star Wars franchise, Les Misérables, The Martian, and Conclave.
Denis Villeneuve, who directed the Dune series, will helm the next James Bond film. Amy Pascal, producer of the Spider-Man films, and David Heyman, producer of the Harry Potter series, will produce, and Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, is set to write the screenplay.
Even before auditions began, rampant speculation circulated over who would write the name of Bond, from Jacob Elordi to Callum Turner to Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, and all of them have been rumored to be in the running for the role.
At last month's CinemaCon, Courtney Valenti, head of Amazon MGM's film division, said of Bond casting, "We are taking our time with this work with care and deep respect," adding, "Delivering the next chapter to audiences is a lifelong dream for all of us, and it is a responsibility we never take lightly. When the time comes we will be able to share much more."
[Photo] film still
[OSEN]