British actor Jack Lowden stands as a potential candidate to play the next James Bond, according to remarks made by his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman during the Toronto International Film Festival. While Oldman initially sparked speculation over the weekend by suggesting the role had been cast, he clarified to reporters that he holds no insider information regarding the franchise search.
Gary Oldman Clarifies Comments on Jack Lowden’s 007 Prospects
Speaking at Deadline’s Toronto Film Festival studio, Oldman addressed media reports that twisted his earlier remarks into a concrete casting announcement. According to Oldman, an interviewer asked how he felt about the James Bond connection, prompting him to reply that six candidates remained in contention and that Lowden appeared on the shortlist. “I simply said: ‘Well, I believe that they’ve chosen the guy… and Jack is on the list,’ and I said: ‘Fingers crossed for Jack’, and then that was reported that I had some inside information,” Oldman told reporters at the festival.
Oldman emphasized that he lacks direct knowledge of the studio’s final decision. “I don’t know any more than you do. There’s six candidates. The rumour is that they’ve made their pick, but we don’t know who it is, and they’re waiting to announce it,” Oldman stated.
Why Lowden Fits the James Bond Mold
Despite lacking privileged production data, the Oscar-winning actor defended the 36-year-old Scottish performer as an ideal successor to Daniel Craig, Roger Moore, and Sean Connery. Oldman highlighted Lowden’s physical and comedic traits as essential assets for the secret agent persona. “Jack is… young, he’s masculine, he’s incredibly funny, which I think is important,” Oldman said, adding that casting a Scottish actor would serve as a subtle tribute to Edinburgh-born Sean Connery.
“Part of the recipe for Bond, he’s got to have his sort of tongue in his cheek slightly, and a twinkle in his eye, and Jack Lowden has those qualities,” Oldman noted, describing his co-star as a lovely guy.
The Slow Horses cast, minus Lowden, appeared at TIFF to promote the espionage drama’s sixth season, which debuts September 16 on Apple TV, ahead of production on Season 7. When asked by interviewers if the team supports Lowden’s candidacy, Oldman surveyed his colleagues—including Saskia Reeves, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Ruth Bradley, and director Adam Randall—who offered unanimous nods of agreement.
The State of the James Bond Franchise
The search for the next 007 follows Daniel Craig’s final outing in 2021’s No Time to Die. Amazon MGM subsequently secured creative control over the property, tapping Denis Villeneuve to direct the next installment from a screenplay written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Knight recently indicated that a casting decision is imminent. Trade reports and industry speculation have linked numerous actors to the role, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Callum Turner, Dev Patel, Paul Mescal, and Jack Barton.