The next 007? ‘Sunset Boulevard’ actor Tom Francis has auditioned for James Bond

Tom Francis, who rose to prominence playing Joe Gillis opposite Nicole Scherzinger in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Sunset Boulevard’, has auditioned for the role of James Bond, according to a source with knowledge of the 007 search cited by Variety.

The 26-year-old British actor is one of several performers being considered for the part, with representatives for both Francis and Amazon MGM Studios declining to comment.

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The development marks a significant step for Francis, whose career has been built almost entirely on stage. Trained at London’s Arts Educational School, with theatre credits including ‘& Juliet’, ‘Rent’, and ‘What’s New Pussycat?’, Francis won an Olivier Award for his performance as Joe Gillis in the West End production of ‘Sunset Boulevard’.

An award-winning run on stage

Francis won an Olivier Award for his work in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and was also nominated for a Tony Award. His time on Broadway made headlines for reasons beyond the script. His performance of the title song saw him walking through New York City’s theatre district as cameras captured his every move.

Francis had been part of director Jamie Lloyd’s minimalist revival of the musical since its 2023 premiere in London, going on to take the production to Broadway, where it earned seven Tony nominations including Best Revival of a Musical.

A thin screen resume

Despite his stage pedigree, Francis has limited experience in front of a film or television camera. He had a small role in ‘Jay Kelly’, the recent George Clooney film, but is ready to appear in Peter Berg’s ‘The Mosquito Bowl’, a World War II sports drama also featuring Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård.

Francis also made his television debut in the final season of the Netflix series ‘You’.

The search for a new 007

Amazon MGM Studios began auditioning actors for the part of 007 in the past few weeks, enlisting the help of casting director Nina Gold to find the actor with the qualities necessary to replace Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s super-spy.

In a statement released on May 14, 2026, Amazon MGM Studios acknowledged ongoing casting process, saying: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. We don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process.”

The studio is likely to make final casting decision in 2026 for upcoming Bond film. It will be directorial of Denis Villeneuve and written by Steven Knigh, with production slated to begin in 2027.

Who is Nina Gold?

Gold has extensive track record. She cast ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘The Crown’, and five Star Wars films, including ‘The Force Awakens’, where she selected Daisy Ridley for the role of Rey. She also cast ‘Les Misérables’, ‘The Martian’, and ‘Conclave’.

Gold got nomination for an Oscar for her work on ‘Hamnet’ in 2025, the first year the Academy introduced a casting award.

Amazon MGM Studios has held full creative control over the Bond franchise since February 2025, alongside longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

Other names in the mix

Francis is not the only name circulating. Casting speculation has included actors such as Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Tom Holland, though no official shortlist is there.

The studio has been clear that the process is ongoing and that a final announcement is still some way off.

At CinemaCon in April, Amazon MGM’s head of film Courtenay Valenti said: “We’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”