Gary Oldman Clarifies Comments About James Bond And Jack Lowden

Gary Oldman has backpedalled somewhat after his recent comments about the future of the James Bond franchise.

Earlier this month, the Oscar winner was being interviewed on Canadian TV when the rumours about his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden potentially being in line to play 007 were raised.

“It’s been rumoured that he’s on the shortlist” Gary noted, before suggesting that we’re “going to find out pretty soon” if there’s any truth to it.

“[Producers] have made their choice,” he then alleged. “But they have not announced it yet. So, my fingers are crossed for Jack.”

Last week, Gary took part in a Q&A session at TIFF, where he mentioned the recent report that there are now “six people on a shortlist” to play Bond.

“I heard a rumor that they’ve picked James Bond, but they haven’t announced it yet, which is their prerogative,” he continued, before clarifying: “So I do not know [who has got the part].”

“But I’m hoping it’s Jack,” he added.

Back in August, The Rest Is Entertainment host Richard Osman claimed to have inside knowledge that Jack had been picked to succeed Daniel Craig as the next 007, praising the idea and calling the actor “an incredible Bond”.

Shortly after this, the US outlet Page Six reported that there were now six actors still in contention, with Jack among them.

However, they said that the top pick for the job was Heartstopper and SAS Rogue Heroes actor Jack Barton, with Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi’s names also mentioned, alongside Harris Dickinson and Paul Mescal.

Movie producer Amy Pascal previously shared that the film studio Amazon MGM was looking for “something really different” when it comes to the next James Bond, and was keeping an eye out for someone “stirring and exciting and different”.

Little else is known about the upcoming 26th instalment in the James Bond film series, other than that it will be written by Peaky Blinders and House Of Guinness creator Steven Knight and directed by Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve.