James Bond screenwriter Steven Knight has confirmed that the role of 007 has already been cast, fueling speculation that Scottish actor Jack Lowden is the chosen successor to Daniel Craig. Knight, who is currently penning the script for the next installment in the long-running spy franchise, stated that knowing the actor in mind while writing makes the process easier, though he emphasized the importance of crafting the character independently of the actor.
"It does make life a little bit easier if you know who that person is, but also you have to write the character, not the actor," Knight explained in a recent radio interview. He added that the Bond universe operates with its own set of rules and that he feels a sense of duty to his "King and country" as a British writer taking on the franchise.
Knight's confirmation follows similar remarks from actor Gary Oldman, who hinted that the role had been filled. Oldman, who stars alongside Lowden in the Apple TV+ series "Slow Horses," expressed his hope that Lowden would be selected.
"They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet," Oldman said during an appearance on Canada's The Morning Show. "It's been rumored that he's on the shortlist."
Lowden has been widely reported as a leading contender for the part, with producers reportedly "strongly considering" the actor. Speculation has intensified since May, when Amazon MGM Studios announced that auditions for the next Bond were underway. The task of casting the new 007 has fallen to casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve.
Broadcaster Richard Osman has also weighed in, teasing that he has been informed of the likely choice. Speaking on his podcast "The Rest Is Entertainment," Osman mentioned hearing Jack Lowden's name for the role, while cautioning that it is not yet a done deal. He praised Lowden as a "brilliant actor" with "real Daniel Craig energy" who could embody both action and humor.
Osman and his co-host Marina Hyde noted that Lowden, at 36, possesses the "longevity" needed for a role that typically requires actors to commit to multiple films. Lowden, who also appeared in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk," is set to play Mr. Darcy in an upcoming Netflix adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." His wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has previously voiced her support for him taking on the iconic spy.
Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond concluded with "No Time to Die" in 2021, leaving the franchise's future casting a subject of intense public interest for months.