The successor to Daniel Craig as James Bond has already been selected, according to Slow Horses star Gary Oldman who discussed the race in a new interview.
Mr Oldman stars opposite Jack Lowden in the hit Apple crime drama, a man who is reportedly one of the final six names who’ve been shortlisted for the role.
Former Harry Potter actor Mr Oldman threw his backing behind Mr Lowden as he cryptically suggested Bond bosses had already made their mind up.
“It’s been rumored that (Mr Lowden) is on the shortlist. We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we?” the 68-year-old said to Canada’s Global.
Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden – the latter is in the frame to land the role of James Bond
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GETTY
“Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.”
Mr Oldman and the 36-year-old Scottish performer have worked together on the Apple TV+ spy thriller since 2022.
Despite the endorsement from Mr Oldman, it is unclear whether the actor was suggesting that Mr Lowden himself had landed the part, or whether he was speaking more broadly about Amazon MGM Studios having settled on its preferred candidate to portray Ian Fleming’s secret agent.
Unfortunately, Mr Oldman offered no further clarification during the interview.
Daniel Craig’s successor remains a mystery for now
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GETTYAmazon MGM Studios has yet to respond publicly to the claims, with no official statement forthcoming at the time of publication.
According to reports, six actors have been assembled on a shortlist for the role.
Jack Barton, Mr Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson are all believed to be in contention, with screen tests said to have commenced in early September.
Mr Barton, a 31-year-old Oxford School of Drama graduate whose credits include Netflix’s Heartstopper and a small part in Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things, has emerged as the surprise frontrunner. Page Six reported that insiders had described him as “The One.”
Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct the forthcoming film, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing, and casting director Nina Gold has been spearheading an extensive search across Britain for Craig’s successor.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired full control of the Bond franchise from longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson in a deal struck in February 2025.
The studio has declined to confirm any of the reported candidates, pointing instead to a statement issued in May declaring that the search for the next 007 was under way.
Jacob Elordi is also in the running to take over as 007
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GETTYThe franchise has a long tradition of casting relatively unknown performers, with Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton and Mr Craig all lacking widespread recognition when they first assumed the role.
Meanwhile, Mr Lowden’s wife Saoirse Ronan told Empire last month that she was “dead serious” about portraying a Bond villain. “I think it would be really interesting, having a young female villain,” the Little Women and Lady Bird star said whilst promoting her latest film, Bad Apples.