The new James Bond might have just been revealed in the most British way possible – being leaked by the actor’s mates at the pub after too many pints.
The identity of the next 007 has been one of Hollywood’s most closely guarded secrets, with anticipation building since Daniel Craig’s 2021 exit.
After writer Steven Knight teased that someone had been selected, rumours ramped up about who that chosen actor could be.
However, it’s not frontrunners Callum Turner or Jack Lowden’s mates who were ‘insisting’ their friend was Bond.
Instead, Josh O’Connor has reportedly landed the role, if the murky beer-goggled details are to be believed.
An insider told The Sun: ‘I bumped into one of Josh’s Golden Boy cast mates at The French House. They were recognised by a lot of people who asked for selfies, and we got chatting in a corner completely by accident.
‘Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond.
‘I said it was pure speculation but they were insistent it was Josh.’
The actor has been mentioned in the running for Bond but not quite as a top contender, according to bookies.
He would undoubtedly be a popular choice, having enjoyed a run of huge films, including Knives Out’s Wake Up Dead Man, Challengers, and God’s Own Country.
Reportedly, the Golden Boy cast claimed he had ‘confided in them about getting the role’ after the cast had ‘celebratory drinks’ when the play finished on Halloween.
While it would be silly to rule out any contender, it’s probably best to wait for an official announcement before anyone takes O’Connor out for another round of celebratory drinks.
Fans are still waiting on that official confirmation from Amazon, which is due to be announced imminently, but everyone is keeping fairly quiet.
Gary Oldman sent fans wild after claiming that the new Bond had been ‘chosen’, throwing his support behind fellow Slow Horses co-star Lowden.
Speaking to British GQ, the actor was asked about the frenzy surrounding Oldman’s apparent endorsement, prompting a reaction that suggested he might rather be interrogated by MI6 itself.
‘Oh, Christ…’ he responded, his expression reportedly giving way to a carefully unreadable smile.
‘On this… 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,’ he said.
Lowden continued: ‘It’s very nice, and Gary’s a sweetheart – it’s particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don’t really listen to it.’
Meanwhile, one Bond icon has confirmed he won’t be there for the upcoming 26th instalment, set to be directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Ben Whishaw, who played Q, head of the fictional research and development division of the British Secret Service in three James Bond films, isn’t returning.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the actor, 46, said: ‘The world has changed so much since the last Bond film, so you have to find what is relevant about it.
‘I think it needs to be reinvented completely. But it’s not for me to say.’
It was announced last year that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would write the script for the upcoming film, with Villeneuve on board to direct.
This will be the first Bond film made since siblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed full control of the franchise over to Amazon MGM.
Metro has reached out to Amazon for comment.