Pierce Brosnan praises Callum Turner as a top candidate for James Bond

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan said he is "just an audience member now" and looks forward to seeing who will be cast as the next 007. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Brosnan praised the group of young actors being considered, noting that they all have "a voice and a physique, and a presence on film" and wishing any future Bond "the very best of life and strength and courage."

"Callum Turner is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong," Brosnan added, referencing their collaboration on the 2017 film The Only Living Boy in New York.

Brosnan also lauded director Denis Villeneuve, who is set to helm the upcoming Bond film, calling him an "iconoclastic" filmmaker whose work is "visionary" and "visceral and sensuous," and predicting audiences will be "blown away."

The Hollywood Reporter noted that actors testing for the role include Turner and Jack Lowden, who had been favored in prediction markets before recent reports suggested Turner has taken the lead. Lowden, when asked about the speculation, told British GQ that he appreciates the attention but does not "listen to the noise."

Earlier remarks from Brosnan about co-star Helen Mirren's criticism of the franchise's treatment of women were also mentioned, but the focus of the interview remained on the upcoming casting process.