A fresh report has reignited one of Hollywood's favorite guessing games: who will play James Bond next? Writing for Showbiz411, veteran columnist Roger Friedman reported on November 2, 2026 that British actor Callum Turner is the rumored frontrunner for the role — and the story comes with a musical twist, as Turner's wife, pop star Dua Lipa, is being tipped to sing the next Bond theme.
The stakes are high because the 26th Bond film is among the most scrutinized productions in the industry. The movie is being developed by Amazon MGM, with Denis Villeneuve directing from a screenplay by Steven Knight, and the studio is targeting a 2028 release. Whoever takes the role will shape the franchise for years to come.
The Showbiz411 Report
Friedman is a significant voice on this particular subject. More than twenty years ago, he was the journalist who first broke the news that Daniel Craig would become James Bond, which is why his latest column is being taken seriously across the industry. For the full story of the last 007, read our Daniel Craig biography.
According to the November 2, 2026 report, final screen tests for the part were held over the Halloween weekend. Friedman names Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor as the other leading contenders, writing that Turner emerged ahead of three rival actors to become the choice.
The columnist also flags a telling career move: Turner has stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films, the production company he founded with his wife Dua Lipa — a step Friedman reads as clearing the schedule for an enormous commitment.
Who Is Callum Turner?
Turner, 36, is a British actor whose star has been rising on both sides of the Atlantic. Television audiences know him from the wartime drama series "Masters of the Air", while filmgoers will recognize him as Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films. Landing Bond would be, by a wide margin, the biggest role of his career.
The Dua Lipa Theme-Song Angle
The musical half of the rumor is just as striking. Friedman describes Lipa as a "new Shirley Bassey", invoking the legendary voice behind "Goldfinger", and bookmakers have listed the singer as the betting favorite to perform the next Bond theme for months.
The idea has been circulating for a while. In January, the Daily Mail reported that Turner had been telling friends he had secured the part, and that Lipa was keen to record the theme herself. To catch up on her career so far, read our Dua Lipa biography. Adele's Oscar-winning "Skyfall" remains the modern benchmark for a Bond theme — read our Adele biography.
What Is Confirmed — and What Is Not
For all the excitement, this is still a rumor and should be treated as one. Amazon MGM has announced nothing about casting, and the studio's standing position is that the search for the next Bond is ongoing and it does not comment on specifics.
What is confirmed: Denis Villeneuve will direct from a Steven Knight script, with the film aimed at a 2028 release. Producer Amy Pascal has described a casting announcement by the end of 2026 as "a good bet". And Turner himself told The Hollywood Reporter in June that he knew nothing about the role — which, in the famously secretive world of Bond casting, may or may not mean much.
Watch the Official Video
Dua Lipa's official music video for "Illusion" — her own release, not Bond footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Callum Turner confirmed as the next James Bond?
No. The claim comes from a single Showbiz411 report, and Amazon MGM has not confirmed any casting. The studio says the search is ongoing and declines to comment on specifics, so for now this remains an unconfirmed rumor.
Who reported the rumor and why does it carry weight?
Veteran columnist Roger Friedman published the report on November 2, 2026. It carries weight because he was the reporter who first broke the news of Daniel Craig's casting as Bond more than two decades ago — though even that track record does not make the new claim official.
Is Dua Lipa really singing the theme song?
That is unconfirmed too. Friedman likened her to a "new Shirley Bassey", bookmakers have had her as the favorite for months, and a January Daily Mail item said she wanted to record the theme — but no studio or representative has confirmed anything.
When could an official announcement come?
Producer Amy Pascal has called a casting announcement by the end of 2026 "a good bet", and the film is targeting a 2028 release with Denis Villeneuve directing. Until Amazon MGM speaks, however, everything is speculation.
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