After years or rumour, delay and false hope, finally there may be a solid development in deciding who will be the next actor to play James Bond.

Respected film industry publications Variety and the Hollywood Reporter have reported that screen tests are underway in London this weekend with the final prospective 007s.

While the identities of all the final actors are not know, there are thought to be between three and five prospects, including Jack Lowden and Callum Turner.

Sadly, it is not thought Australia’s Jacob Elordi will be joining them.

And despite earlier reports, Sinners star Jack O’Connell is not testing, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The screen tests are reportedly to be made up of three elements – camera presence, stunts and dialogue.

Turner, 36, who wed music artist Dua Lipa earlier this year, has appeared in the WWII series Masters of the Air, as well as the movies Eternity and One Night Only.

Scottish Actor Lowden, 36, who in recent months emerged as the favourite for the Bond role, is best known playing a spy on acclaimed Apple TV series Slow Horses.

The Bond producers are looking for a young British actor in his 30s who could continue playing 007 several years, according to previous reports.

Lowden last year welcomed his first child with fellow actor Saoirse Ronan, 32, who coincidentally has expressed her own desire to join the 007 universe as a Bond villain.

Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next Bond film for Amazon MGM studios, after they bought the rights to the franchise as part of a mammoth $12 billion deal in 2022.

Longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handed over full creative control of the franchise to Amazon AGM Studios in February last year.

Speculation about who will be the next James Bond long predates Daniel Craig’s exit from the franchise after 15 years with 2021’s No Time to Die.