A contest is brewing between streaming giants Apple and Amazon over actor Jack Lowden, a leading contender to portray the next James Bond. Lowden, who currently stars as MI5 agent River Cartwright in Apple's series "Slow Horses," is reportedly caught in a tug-of-war between the two companies, both eager to secure his talent.
Sources suggest that Lowden's current contractual obligations with Apple make it impossible for him to simultaneously take on the role of James Bond. This has led Apple to initiate efforts to retain him for future seasons of "Slow Horses," while Amazon executives are reportedly keen on casting him as the next 007. An insider noted the complexity of an actor portraying two prominent British spies concurrently, stating, "It is literally impossible for an actor to play two British spies almost simultaneously. You can't have two franchises and two spies but just one face."
The competition is described as intense due to the significant egos involved at both Apple and Amazon, with neither company wanting to concede to the other.
Lowden, married to actress Saoirse Ronan, has gained prominence for his role in "Slow Horses." His other notable performances include roles in "Mary Queen of Scots," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Dunkirk," as well as the BBC drama "The Gold."
Bond Audition Process
The search for Daniel Craig's successor as James Bond has reportedly narrowed to a final four contenders who have undergone extensive testing at Pinewood Studios. These tests are designed to assess not only acting ability but also the capacity to embody the character of Bond. While the identities of the four finalists are not public, actors such as Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal, Jack O'Connell, and Harris Dickinson have been mentioned as being in contention. Jack Barton has also emerged as a late entrant to the process.
According to reports, the contenders are evaluated on their performance in fight sequences, their movement, screen presence, charisma, and their ability to execute classic Bond-style moments. The assessment extends beyond traditional auditions, examining an actor's overall demeanor and how they inhabit the world of James Bond. The next iteration of the 007 franchise is being overseen by director Denis Villeneuve, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay.