Debbie McWilliams rejects Amazon's Bond frontrunners

Former James Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams, who oversaw the casting of the franchise from 1981’s *For Your Eyes Only* through 2021’s *No Time to Die*, said the three actors currently touted for the role—Callum Turner, Harris Dickinson and Jacob Elordi—lack the mystery required for 007. She argued that an actor should be largely unknown to the public, able to convey danger and “the permission to kill.”

McWilliams also criticized Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos for asking the public on social media to vote on the next Bond, saying crowdsourcing is not how a film is cast. She noted that the upcoming Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and will be produced under Amazon’s ownership, which began in early 2025, and she lamented the absence of longtime producer Barbara Broccoli from the decision‑making process.