Josh O’Connor is keeping the James Bond speculation firmly in the realm of speculation.

The 36-year-old actor addressed reports that he is among a small group being considered to replace Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s MI6 agent, but stopped short of confirming any involvement in the casting process.

O’Connor was opening the new Everyman Theatre in his hometown of Cheltenham, England, on Tuesday when he was asked about the possibility. “To be considered in that same sort of bracket is extraordinary,” he said.

Calling the attention “such an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment,” O’Connor added that it was remarkable to be “uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that.” However, he offered no further clarity, concluding: “But I am afraid, there is nothing to say beyond that.”

Known for The Crown, Knives Out and Challengers, O’Connor also led Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day earlier this year.

The Reported Bond Contenders

The Hollywood Reporter has reported that O’Connor was among the actors said to be screen-testing for the role. Callum Turner and Slow Horses star Jack Lowden are also part of the small group reported to be in contention.

Lowden has taken an equally guarded approach to the conversation. Speaking to British GQ this week, the Scottish actor said: “Oh, Christ… It’s all very flattering. It’s nice to be mentioned — for any role — and I’m just not really going to add to the noise.”

The casting search is for Amazon MGM Studios’ next James Bond film, which will be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Toward the end of October, screen tests were expected to take place in London imminently.

Other rumored names have also been addressed. Jack O’Connell, whose credits include Sinners and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, was suggested as a possible contender, but sources confirmed that he was not in the mix. Euphoria alum Jacob Elordi was also not testing.

Nina Gold is leading the search for Craig’s successor. She previously cast Lowden as River Cartwright in Slow Horses, an Emmy-nominated role, and also selected O’Connor for his breakout performance as Prince Charles in The Crown.

Pierce Brosnan Weighs In

Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan joined the discussion in a new Vanity Fair interview published Friday, although he made clear that he is now watching the process from the outside.

“Oh, I’m just an audience member now,” Brosnan said. “I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history.”

The MobLand actor praised the proposed candidates and gave particular recognition to Turner, his co-star in Only Living Boy in New York.

“Callum Turner is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong,” Brosnan said. “They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men.”

Brosnan continued by wishing the eventual choice “the very best of life and strength and courage,” adding that he was eagerly waiting for the announcement and celebration of the next Bond.

ShowBiz Take

O’Connor’s response neither confirms nor rules out the reports, but it places him alongside Lowden in a group of actors unwilling to add certainty to an unresolved casting process.

What gives the speculation added weight is the shape of the project already in place: Amazon MGM Studios has Villeneuve directing, Knight writing and Gold heading the search for Craig’s successor. Gold’s previous work with both O’Connor and Lowden also connects two of the reported contenders directly to the person overseeing the casting effort.

For now, the clearest development is that O’Connor is flattered to be discussed but has offered no confirmation that he will become the next James Bond.

What Happens Next?

No successor to Craig has been announced. O’Connor, Turner and Lowden remain among the small group reported to be under consideration, while O’Connell and Elordi have been ruled out of testing. The final casting decision—and any official confirmation of who completed a screen test—remains unresolved.