Gary Oldman Says New James Bond Has Been Picked but Cannot Confirm Jack Lowden as 007

Gary Oldman says the next James Bond has already been chosen, but the Oscar-winning actor stopped short of confirming that his 'Slow Horses' co-star Jack Lowden will take over as 007.

Oldman made the comments while discussing the long-running search for Daniel Craig's successor, saying the decision had been made but had not yet been publicly announced. His remarks have increased speculation that an official announcement could be imminent.

Gary Oldman Supports Jack Lowden for Bond

Oldman, who stars alongside Lowden in Apple's spy drama 'Slow Horses', was asked about reports that the Scottish actor was among those being considered for the role. 'It's been rumoured that he's on the shortlist,' Oldman said during an interview. He then appeared to suggest that the casting process had already concluded.

'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,' Oldman said.

However, he did not explicitly identify Lowden as the actor who had been selected. Instead, Oldman added: 'So my fingers are crossed for Jack.'

That distinction is important. Oldman's comments suggest that he believes the Bond casting decision has been made, but they do not independently confirm that Lowden is the actor who has been selected.

Amazon MGM Studios has not officially announced the next 007. For now, the studio has not publicly confirmed Oldman's interpretation of the casting process.

Who Is Jack Lowden?

Lowden, 36, has worked with Oldman since joining the cast of 'Slow Horses', in which he plays MI5 officer River Cartwright. Oldman stars as veteran intelligence officer Jackson Lamb.

The Apple TV+ series has given Lowden extensive experience playing a spy, although his character is very different from Ian Fleming's secret agent. He has also appeared in films including 'Dunkirk', 'Mary Queen of Scots' and 'Calibre'.

His name has frequently featured in reports about the Bond casting process, with recent coverage identifying him as one of the actors in contention for the role. Lowden's reported status has also drawn attention from Bond fans and bookmakers, although speculation and betting odds do not constitute confirmation of a casting decision.

Other Names Linked to James Bond

Lowden is not the only actor who has been linked to the role. Other names reported as contenders have included Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson. Recent reports have identified those actors among those being considered for the role.

The casting process follows Craig's departure from the franchise. Craig played Bond in five films, beginning with 'Casino Royale' in 2006 and ending with 'No Time to Die' in 2021.

Who Is Making the Next Bond Film?

The next Bond film is described as being developed under Amazon MGM Studios, following the company's increased involvement with the franchise.

'Dune' filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has been reported as attached to direct, while Steven Knight, the creator of 'Peaky Blinders', is said to be writing the screenplay. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have also been linked to the project.

The film is expected to mark a new era for the long-running franchise following Craig's five-film tenure. For now, however, the identity of the next Bond remains officially unconfirmed.

Oldman's comments have added further interest to the search, but his support for Lowden should not be treated as confirmation that the actor has secured the role. If Oldman's claim that the decision has already been made is accurate, fans may not have to wait much longer to discover who will inherit Bond's licence to kill.