Apple and Amazon are locked in a corporate battle over actor Jack Lowden as he becomes a top candidate to play James Bond.
The 36-year-old Essex-born actor currently stars as MI5 agent River Cartwright in the Apple series Slow Horses. Executives at Amazon, which acquired Bond studio MGM, are reportedly eager to consider Lowden as Daniel Craig's successor in the 007 role.
Industry insiders say Apple is mounting a fierce rearguard action to keep Lowden committed to future seasons of its spy drama. Sources close to the production state that it is impossible for an actor to front two major British spy franchises at the same time.
The clash over two spy franchises
One insider told The Mail on Sunday that an actor cannot play two high-profile secret agents simultaneously. "It is literally impossible for an actor to play two British spies almost simultaneously. You can't have two franchises and two spies but just one face," the source said.
The insider added that while Lowden is considered a strong candidate for Bond, his current commitment to Apple remains a major obstacle. "Jack is very much in the conversation and there are people who think he would make a fantastic Bond," the source said. "But the elephant in the room is Slow Horses. Amazon wants its Bond but Apple already has its spy."
The dispute has created a direct confrontation between two of the world's largest streaming broadcasters. "There are some huge egos at Apple and Amazon and they do not like to lose out to one another, so the battle is on," the source added.
Lowden's screen career and background
In Slow Horses, an adaptation of the Slough House spy novels by author Mick Herron, Lowden plays an ambitious agent working opposite Academy Award winner Gary Oldman, who stars as department head Jackson Lamb. Future series of the Apple show would almost certainly clash with production schedules for the next James Bond movie.
Lowden, who is married to Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan, has built an extensive film and television career. His screen credits include Christopher Nolan's war epic Dunkirk, Mary Queen Of Scots, and Pride And Prejudice. He also starred in the BBC television drama series The Gold as convicted murderer Kenneth Noye, who was imprisoned for melting down stolen gold bullion following the landmark 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery at Heathrow Airport.
The screen tests at Pinewood Studios
The search for Daniel Craig's successor as 007 has reportedly been whittled down to a final shortlist of four contenders. A source claimed that the remaining candidates have already been put through extensive tests at Pinewood Studios, the Buckinghamshire production base that has housed the Bond franchise since 1962, to discover who can both act like Bond and embody the character.
Although the identities of the final four candidates have not been officially confirmed, several actors remain in the mix for the role. The contenders reported to be under consideration include Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal, Jack O'Connell, Harris Dickinson, and Jack Barton, who recently gained widespread recognition on the Netflix coming-of-age drama Heartstopper.
Auditioning candidates at Pinewood Studios were tested on how convincingly they handle fight sequences, movement, screen presence, and charisma. Sources said actors were asked to tackle classic Bond-style moments in front of cameras to assess how they handle physical action, danger, humor, and effortless charm.
Another insider noted that the audition process extended far beyond standard script readings. "It's much more than reading lines in an audition room," the source said. "They're looking at the complete package. How does he walk into a room? How does he look in a fight? Can he turn on that Bond charisma when the scene requires it?"
The source added: "They're effectively putting them into the world of Bond and seeing who looks like he belongs there."
The creative team behind the next 007 film
Director Denis Villeneuve is overseeing the next incarnation of the James Bond series. The screenplay for the upcoming film is being written by Steven Knight, the creator of the acclaimed BBC period crime drama Peaky Blinders.
