The next James Bond may already have been chosen. Gary Oldman says producers have picked Daniel Craig’s successor, and he hopes the role has gone to his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden.
Oldman made the claim during an interview with Canada’s The Morning Show. He said Lowden had been linked to the role and suggested that the decision had already been made.
“They have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet,” Oldman said.
There has been no official confirmation from Amazon MGM. The studio has not revealed who will play Bond in the next film, keeping the casting under wraps as speculation continues.
Lowden is one of several actors linked to the role. Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson have also been reported as contenders. Variety has reported interest in Louis Partridge, while stage actor Tom Francis was reportedly among those who auditioned.
The casting search follows Craig’s departure from the franchise after five films. The next Bond movie is expected to begin production next year, with Denis Villeneuve set to direct and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay.
Lowden is best known for playing River Cartwright in Slow Horses, where he stars alongside Oldman. His possible move to Bond would mark a major shift from the Apple TV+ spy series to one of cinema’s longest-running franchises.
There is another potential connection to the next Bond film. Lowden’s wife, Saoirse Ronan, recently said she wants to play a Bond villain. Speaking to Empire, she said she was “dead serious” about the idea of playing a young female villain.
For now, Lowden’s casting remains unconfirmed. If Oldman is right, however, the search for the next 007 may already be over.
