Gary Oldman Claims Next James Bond Has Been Cast, Backs Jack Lowden for 007 Role

The search for the next James Bond has reached a new peak of speculation following comments from Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman, who claimed the role has been cast and publicly endorsed his Slow Horses co-star, Jack Lowden, for the coveted position. Oldman, 68, made the remarks during an interview with Canada's Global, reigniting fervent industry chatter about who will next don the tuxedo as 007.

Oldman, known for his roles in Darkest Hour and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, stated, "It's been rumored that he's on the shortlist. We're going to find out pretty soon, aren't we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack." Oldman did not explain how he knows a decision has been made, according to reports. He and Lowden (36) star together in the Apple TV+ spy thriller Slow Horses, where Oldman plays MI5 intelligence chief Jackson Lamb and Lowden portrays MI5 agent River Cartwright. Lowden has received two Emmy Award nominations for his performance in the series.

What is Jack Lowden's history with James Bond rumors?

Rumors linking Jack Lowden to the James Bond role date back to the first season of Slow Horses in 2022. Lowden addressed these whispers in a joint interview with Oldman that year, calling them "lovely" but expressing doubt about their validity. He suggested that "everybody who runs around with a serious face – and runs well – [is named in the press as a rumoured James Bond]." However, Lowden's wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has publicly backed him, stating on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that she would prefer to see Jack as Bond if it came down to a choice between them. Ronan also told Empire of her own interest in playing a Bond villain, believing it would be "really interesting, having a young female villain."

Further adding to the Lowden speculation, Richard Osman claimed on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment that he had been told "for definite who the next James Bond is," naming Jack Lowden. Osman later clarified it was "not a 'he's definitely got it' thing" but that Lowden was being "strongly considered." This claim reportedly increased Lowden's implied probability of being cast from 3.5% to 36% on Kalshi by August 19, 2026.

Who is the new creative team for James Bond?

The search for a new James Bond began after Daniel Craig concluded his tenure with No Time to Die in 2021, his fifth and final film as 007. Amazon MGM Studios now owns the rights to James Bond. Denis Villeneuve, known for directing Dune, is set to helm the next Bond film, tentatively referred to as Bond 26, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are also involved, and casting director Nina Gold is leading the extensive search. Reports suggest the filmmakers are seeking a male, British actor in their late 20s to early 30s, a younger profile than Daniel Craig, who was 38 when he began playing Bond in Casino Royale.

What is the official stance on casting?

Amazon MGM Studios has consistently refused to comment on specific casting details throughout the process. A report from Puck News, cited by The Movie Blog, explicitly stated that "the various frontrunners frequently mentioned in the press are largely inaccurate" and that "anyone currently claiming to know exactly who the next Bond will be is simply speculating without verified information." This stance creates a direct contrast with Oldman's recent statement. Various reports have also presented contradictory shortlists of contenders, with names like Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson frequently mentioned. Harris Dickinson reportedly pulled himself from consideration, while stage actor Tom Francis and Jack Barton have also been tipped as frontrunners in different reports.

When can fans expect an official announcement?

Producer Amy Pascal stated in May that an announcement of the new Bond actor by the end of 2026 is a "good bet." Amazon MGM Studios has indicated it will share news with 007 fans "as soon as the time is right." Some speculate the announcement could occur between Christmas and New Year's to avoid overshadowing Denis Villeneuve's press tour for Dune: Part Three. Amazon MGM Studios has begun issuing "test deals," which are binding contracts covering salary, commitment, and exclusivity, to actors in contention. Formal screen tests, however, are approaching but are not expected until later in the fall (as of September 4, 2026). Production for the new Bond film (Bond 26) is slated to begin sometime next year, in 2027.