Jack Lowden has addressed rumours that he could be cast as the next James Bond in the long-running film franchise, saying he is flattered by the speculation but chooses to ignore it.
The 36-year-old Scottish actor spoke during an interview published by GQ magazine on Monday, discussing expectations surrounding the iconic role after Daniel Craig stepped down from the character in 2021.
Lowden said he felt very flattered by the talk and noted that it was pleasant to be mentioned for any role, but insisted he would not add fuel to the fire by discussing it. He added that it was particularly lovely to hear praise from Gary Oldman, whom he described as a sweetheart, though he emphasized that he pays no attention to the rumours.
The actor explained that public chatter about James Bond often follows a familiar pattern for rising performers. He said that whenever a younger actor moves away from comedic or artistic roles and puts on a suit, people immediately begin talking about 007.
Contenders for the 007 role
Speculation linking Lowden to the British secret agent began after Oldman, his co-star on the espionage drama series Slow Horses, suggested that Lowden was on the shortlist of finalists. Recently, entertainment trade publication Variety reported that Lowden and Callum Turner have emerged as the leading candidates to succeed Craig.
Lowden's wife, the actress Saoirse Ronan, previously addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding her husband. She stated that the James Bond role was not a subject being discussed inside their home.
Lowden has earned critical acclaim for playing River Cartwright, a demoted MI6 operative in Slow Horses, appearing opposite Oldman's Jackson Lamb. His previous screen credits include Christopher Nolan's historical drama Dunkirk and the biographical sports comedy Fighting with My Family, while Turner is known for his roles in Masters of the Air and the Fantastic Beasts film series.
Production and release timeline
Production bosses have so far officially confirmed few details about the upcoming project. Denis Villeneuve has been chosen to direct the new feature financed by Amazon MGM Studios, while veteran casting director Nina Gold continues to lead the audition process.
Villeneuve brings major blockbuster experience to the franchise after directing Dune, Dune: Part Two, and Blade Runner 2049. Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, securing ownership of the studio behind Ian Fleming's fictional British secret agent.
Craig established himself as a benchmark for the franchise during a 15-year tenure as James Bond, concluding when his final film, No Time to Die, reached cinemas in mid-2021. Although studio executives have announced no formal timetable for revealing the new lead actor, industry insiders believe the decision will be confirmed before the end of the year, with the 26th film of the franchise expected to arrive in cinemas in 2028.
