James Bond icon Pierce Brosnan throws his support behind Callum Turner as 007 and says 'I eagerly await to hear the news'

James Bond icon Pierce Brosnan has thrown his support behind Callum Turner landing the coveted 007 role, amid speculation over who will land the part.

Callum, 36, is one of three actors who are on the shortlist to take over from Daniel Craig, with final auditions taking place last month.

While Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has emerged as the 'clear favourite,' former Bond star Pierce has backed Callum, and said he 'eagerly awaits' news of the casting in the coming weeks.

He said: 'Oh, I’m just an audience member now. I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history. All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire.'

Pierce added that Callum was someone 'he had worked with,' saying: 'They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. 

'They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men.'

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Pierce was asked whether he has any advice for the next star who will play Bond.

He said: 'Whoever plays the role, I wish him the very best of life and strength and courage. 

'You know, it’s hard to tell who it would be, but I eagerly await to hear the news and the celebration of the next James Bond.'

Jack's Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman initially sparked the Bond speculation by saying: 'It's been rumoured that [Jack is] on the shortlist [for Bond]. We're going to find out pretty soon, aren't we?...

'Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.'

Speaking to GQ Hype, Jack said: '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...

'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.

'As a young male actor, generally, the minute you're not playing a zany artist type, the minute you're in a suit, people fling it at you.'

Expanding on plans for working behind the camera in the future, he added: 'I don't think it's [his future career] in acting, really. I think it's in making something of my own.'

Last month, it was reported that final screen tests took place at Bray Studios in Berkshire, with Jack, Callum Turner and a mystery star auditioning to be the next 007.

Bond fans have claimed they've figured out the identity of the 'mystery' actor after it was revealed that a final shortlist of stars were performing screen tests at Bray Studios.

007 sleuths flooded social media with theories about who the unnamed actor could be, and one name that has appeared multiple times is Joe Alwyn.

The actor has previously appeared in Conversations With Friends, The Brutalist, and Hamnet – and fans have said it would 'make sense' if he was the unnamed star.

Jack has also been given the clear approval from fans, with the Scottish actor given odds of 8/11 to bag the role.

Callum Turner faces 2/1 odds and all other contenders have been given a less favourable 16/1.

Bookies at Ladbrokes said: 'The Bond race looks to be reaching crunch time and punters are firmly backing Jack Lowden to get the call.

'He's already odds-on and the latest speculation has only fuelled support for him, with Callum Turner looking like his biggest threat.'

Jack and English actor Josh O'Connor were more recent names to be thrown into the ring along with Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 29, who is believed to have missed out on the role.

Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal in August said: 'I would say the end of the year is a good bet.'

Casting by December would allow Amazon MGM Studios to start filming the next movie in 2027.

Dune director Denis Villeneuve – who is taking on the project – and bosses at Amazon announced in May that the casting process was under way.

Ms Pascal said: '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.'

Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King's Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes' Jack Barton.

Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent in the official film series – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.