A-list actor claims new James Bond has been chosen: ‘We’re going to find out soon’

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Gary Oldman claims the next James Bond has been decided, as he backed his “Slow Horses” co-star, Jack Lowden, to step into the iconic role.

“It’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist,” Oldman, 68, said during a new interview with Canada’s “The Morning Show.”

“We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him,” the Oscar winner alleged. “They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet.”

Gary Oldman (seen here) claimed the new James Bond has been chosen. TMS | Global Entertainment
“Because they have picked him,” Oldman (seen here in “Slow Horses” with Jack Lowden) said, adding, “They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet.” ©Apple TV/Courtesy Everett Collection
Oldman said his “fingers are crossed” that Lowden (seen above in “Slow Horses”) lands the 007 role. ©Apple TV/Courtesy Everett Collection

Oldman said that his “fingers are crossed” for Lowden, 36, to take on the role.

Page Six has reached out to Amazon MGM Studios, who owns the Bond franchise, and Lowden’s rep for comment.

Lowden hasn’t responded to the latest 007 rumors, but his wife, Saoirse Ronan, recently nominated herself to play a Bond villain.

“I want to go dark,” the “Little Women” star told Empire last month. “I said that I wanted to be a Bond villain and I’m dead serious.”

Ronan, 32, continued, “I think it would be really interesting, having a young female villain. Especially for girls and women, to see someone who can just take all that pent-up anger and direct it somewhere, there’s something interesting in that dramatically. So I would love to do more of that.”

Oldman claimed Lowden (pictured above in London on Sept. 1) is “on the shortlist” to play Bond. Click News and Media / BACKGRID
Ironically, Lowden’s wife, Saoirse Ronan (both seen here at the 2024 Emmy Awards), recently said she wants to play a villain in the Bond franchise. Variety via Getty Images

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In February 2025, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed over creative control of the Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.

Since then, the company has been looking for the right actor to lead the spy franchise for the next film, which will be helmed by “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve.

Lowden, Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson have been on the short list for the job.

Daniel Craig (pictured above in 2021’s “No Time to Die”) was the last actor to play 007. ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sean Connery (seen here with Dan Meaden in 1983’s “Never Say Never Again”) was among the other actors to play Bond. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

However, sources told Page Six Hollywood last month that Jack Barton, who played a tiny role in Emma Stone’s 2023 film “Poor Things,” is the favorite to be the new Bond.

Insiders noted, though, that screen tests still have to take place.

Last year, Deadline reported that Villeneuve, 58, is looking for a “fresh face” — specifically an “unknown” male British actor — to take up the 007 mantle.

“Poor Things” actor Jack Barton (seen above) is the favorite to be the new Bond, Page Six Hollywood reported last month. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar
Sources said Barton (seen above at the “Heartstopper Forever” premiere in July) is most likely to take on the role. Getty Images for Netflix

“Whoever it is has to look like he could kill you with his bare hands in a trice,” a source told the outlet. “From the moment you see him, that has to be readily apparent.”

Daniel Craig was the latest actor to play James Bond, having retired from the franchise after 2021’s “No Time to Die.”

Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan all played Bond before that.

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