Barton… Jack Barton: Could this unknown British actor be the next James Bond?

Relative unknown Jack Barton is reportedly emerging as the surprise frontrunner to become the next James Bond, ahead of further screen tests expected in September. It's the casting news that continues to drive cinema fans into a frenzy: Who will be the next James Bond? With screen tests underway, there are rumours brewing that the shortlist is now down to (00)7, with some familiar names like Jack Lowden, Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal, Jack O’Connell and Harris Dickinson in the mix. The seventh is a relatively unknown British newcomer who has suddenly entered the casting conversation and is reportedly emerging as the surprise frontrunner to become the next Bond. His name? Barton. Jack Barton. Beyond sharing the same initials as the superspy, little is known about Barton. The 31-year-old actor trained at the Oxford School of Drama and has few credits to his name. He played Kit Connor’s on-screen brother David in Netflix’s TV series Heartstopper, and his biggest role to date has been playing “Fop 1” in the critically acclaimed Poor Things. Barton also starred in the second series of SAS: Rogue Heroes – a show written by none other than new Bond scribe Steven Knight. A point of favour for Barton? Another Barton benefit is that he is a more under-the-radar candidate compared to the other bigger names being screen tested. This chimes with reports last year that director Denis Villeneuve was looking for “an unknown” British actor for Bond. It also aligns with the fact that the role of Bond usually makes the star, and rising performers are traditionally favoured. Sean Connery was a relative unknown before Bond; George Lazenby had never acted outside of a few ads; Roger Moore was a household name thanks to The Saint but hadn’t had a huge break on the big screen; Timothy Dalton had a great stage career but was not an established movie star; Pierce Brosnan was a Bond hopeful for years but remained best known for his role as Remington Steele in the TV show of the same name... Only Daniel Craig had some major big screen credentials with memorable roles in Road To Perdition, Layer Cake and Munich... However, it was Casino Royale that made him a bona fide leading man. With this in mind, and the fact that already established stars command higher salaries, the odds are that Amazon will bank on a relatively unknown actor rather than someone who is already in demand. Retired casting director Debbie McWilliams confirmed this, recently telling The Independent that it doesn’t make much sense to have a household name donning the tux. “It is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma,” she said, adding: “I don’t want to see [Elordi, Turner, Dickinson et al] as Bond because we now know so much about them. We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are. We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives … He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.” Fits the bill when it comes to Barton... Add that several studio executives told Page Six that Amazon is reportedly looking for a younger actor who can carry the franchise across five films, much like Daniel Craig did during his 15-year 007 run, and the odds are looking good... Who will new Bond castng director Nina Gold pick? Recognisable star or fresh face? As much as we’d love to see Jack Lowden and Saoirse Ronan pair up on screen as both hero and antagonist, Barton seems like he’s in with a very decent shot. Not long to find out... Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal recently shared that "the end of the year is a good bet" when it comes to the timing of the new actor's announcement. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” said Pascal. “We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.” Bond 26 will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve and is being written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Production is expected to kick off in 2027, with a release planned for 2028.