The search for the next James Bond has officially begun ... and a big industry name is attached to help on the hunt. TMZ has confirmed the 007 casting process started -- an Amazon MGM Studios

The future of 007 now rests partly in the hands of a casting figure whose résumé includes some of television and film’s biggest ensembles. Amazon MGM Studios has begun the process of finding the next actor to step into the role of James Bond,

The search for who will play 007 has taken an important step as sources have confirmed to Deadline that Nina Gold has closed a deal to become the casting director for the next James Bond film. Gold will work with director Denis Villeneuve as well as producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman in finding that

As reported by Variety, Amazon MGM Studios has now begun holding auditions in recent weeks, with casting director Nina Gold reportedly involved i

The search for the next James Bond is underway," reads the statement from Amazon MGM Studios' socials. "While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.

"The search for the next James Bond is under way," Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement. Auditions have been taking place in recent weeks, according to Hollywood outlet Variety, and the statement signals the beginning of the end of the long wait for a new James Bond.

Amazon MGM announced that the casting search to find the next James Bond has officially begun "The search for the next James Bond is underway," the studio said in a statement on Thursday. "While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process,

James Bond auditions stared a few weeks ago with 'Game of Thrones' and 'Star Wars' casting vet Nina Gold tapped to find the next 007 for Amazon MGM.