Veteran actor Gary Oldman told Canadian broadcaster Global that the casting decision for the next James Bond has already been made, but remains under wraps. The former Bond‑adversary of the 1990s, Oldman said he hopes the role goes to his "Slow Horses" co‑star Jack Lowden, adding that his "fingers are crossed" for the Scottish actor.
Oldman’s claim and its source
The comment, first reported by Variety and subsequently echoed by The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and other outlets, was made in an interview with Global during promotion for the spy thriller series. Oldman said, "They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet," indicating that Amazon MGM Studios—now steering the franchise after the Daniel Craig era—has already settled on an actor.
"They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet," Oldman told Global.
Oldman’s statements have not been corroborated by any official press release from Amazon MGM or the Eon Productions team that traditionally oversees the Bond series. The claim therefore remains a rumor, albeit one that has been widely circulated across entertainment news sites, including The Independent, IMDb and Far Out Magazine.
Why Jack Lowden is a contender
Jack Lowden, 34, rose to international notice through roles in Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots and the Netflix series The Crown. His recent work with Oldman in the BBC‑Apple collaboration Slow Horses has showcased his ability to blend dry wit with a hardened edge—qualities that align with the evolving tone of the Bond character.
Industry observers note that Lowden’s British background, combined with his experience in period dramas and action‑oriented films, fits the franchise’s desire to balance tradition with contemporary relevance. If selected, he would follow a lineage that includes Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, each of whom re‑defined Bond for a new generation.
Implications for the franchise
The next Bond film, slated for release under the newly merged Amazon MGM Studios, represents a pivotal moment for the series. After a decade of Daniel Craig’s gritty, emotionally complex portrayal, the studio is expected to recalibrate the tone—potentially returning to a more classic, suave spy or forging a hybrid identity. Oldman’s endorsement of Lowlow may signal an industry preference for a younger, less‑typecast actor capable of navigating that transition.
Oldman, who famously portrayed James Gordon in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, has a long‑standing, albeit indirect, connection to the Bond universe. His insight, however, is based on personal conversations rather than contractual knowledge, and he stopped short of naming the actor outright. The repeated emphasis across outlets that the decision is "already made" but unannounced suggests a deliberate strategy by the studio to control the narrative surrounding the casting.
Until an official announcement is made, the story remains speculative. Nonetheless, Oldman's public support for Lowden adds a notable voice to the ongoing discourse surrounding the future of 007, highlighting the weight that peer endorsement carries in a franchise where casting decisions have historically generated intense public and media scrutiny.
