Kids, I’ve been waiting with antici… pation for the much heralded James Bond casting decision.

It’s been quite the journey. Heck, I’ve been here since at least the Aaron-Taylor Johnson days. I even remember the Idris Elba and Henry Cavill times.

The news has grown hot and heavy over the last few weeks as every outlet reported a scoop. Four actors reportedly reached the final audition stage: Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor alongside a super secret performer (whose name was being kept under wraps).

Things are coming together quickly. With director Denis Villeneuve wrapping up his work on Dune: Part 3, he’ll be soon ready to jump into 007’s world.

We’re now in the final stages. We hope.

Boy-oh-boy has it been a long road. I was Team Lowden. I’ve been Team Lowden going back to my first time watching 1917. Do I see him as James Bond? I’m not sure… but in all honesty, I haven’t started Slow Horses yet. (I know, I know).

Things grew complicated though when Josh O’Connor’s name somehow entered the chat.

Josh O’Connor is another actor who I admittedly struggle to see playing James Bond; however, I’ve loved O’Connor in every role he’s played… even Disclosure Day. I’m not exaggerating when I say the first time I ever sympathized with Prince (now King) Charles came after watching his performance in The Crown.

Frankly, I have no idea how Josh O’Connor’s James Bond comes to life, but I want to see it.

In recent weeks on social media, I’ve seen posts analyzing why Callum Turner must have (reportedly) been offered the role. He was spotted drinking martinis! He quit a production company! Callum Turner has been busy this month.

Then the Daily Mail reported that a gabby co-star of Josh O’Connor’s reportedly confirmed he was offered the role. (We give the Daily Mail a healthy dose of skepticism, of course).

Friends, like any updates about new Star Wars trilogies, I’ll believe them when I see actual evidence.

This became all the more pointed the evening of November 6th when Deadline threw a gigantic wrench into any final casting decision with a report that the “mystery” names currently in consideration were none other than Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult.

Suddenly, this “easy” decision wasn’t so simple.

At this point, this reporter needs those in power to buck up and give us their final answer. Cast the role already. Make a decision. Please give us a respite from the exhausting cycle of questionable “leads” and “breaking” reports that every actor in the race has landed the coveted role.

Even if I would really like it to be Josh O’Connor.