Gary Oldman, a veteran actor known for his transformative roles, has indicated that the search for the next James Bond has concluded and the public will soon learn the identity of the new 007. Oldman, 68, shared this information during an appearance on Canada's The Morning Show, where he also expressed his personal support for his Apple TV+ co-star, Jack Lowden.
"It's been rumored that he's on the shortlist," Oldman said of Lowden. "We're going to find out pretty soon, aren't we? Because they have picked him." He clarified that while a choice has been made, the official announcement has yet to occur.
Lowden, 36, has been widely speculated to be the front-runner for the iconic role, with reports suggesting producers are seriously considering the Scottish actor. The process of selecting a successor to Daniel Craig has been a subject of intense speculation for months, intensifying after Amazon MGM Studios confirmed auditions were underway in May.
Adding to the buzz, presenter Richard Osman recently shared on his podcast, 'The Rest Is Entertainment,' that he had been informed of the likely choice. "Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day," Osman stated, though he cautioned, "It is definitely not a 'he's definitely got it' thing. He is definitely being strongly considered."
Osman praised Lowden, noting his suitability for the role. "I think he'd be amazing," he said, agreeing with co-host Marina Hyde that Lowden's age makes him a strong candidate for the franchise's required longevity. "The name I've heard is Jack Lowden," Osman added, suggesting the actor possesses "real Daniel Craig energy" and the versatility for both action and comedic elements.
Lowden's acting career includes a role in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" and an upcoming portrayal of Mr. Darcy in Netflix's adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." His wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has publicly supported his potential casting as James Bond. She previously joked on BBC Radio 2 about constantly hearing her husband championed for the role, telling DJ Edith Bowman, "Hasn't happened yet though... There's time, there's time."
Ronan has also expressed her own interest in joining the Bond franchise, but in a different capacity. "I want to go dark," she told Empire magazine, stating her serious desire to play a Bond villain. She believes a young female villain could offer a compelling dramatic arc, particularly for female audiences.
