Jack Lowden says James Bond casting speculation is ‘flattering’

Jack Lowden has said he is “flattered” by the speculation he could be the next James Bond.

The Scottish actor, 36, is believed to be in the running for the role alongside Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor.

The actor chosen will replace Daniel Craig, who took over the role of Bond with Casino Royale in 2006 and bowed out after his fifth film, No Time To Die, in 2021.

Speaking to GQ Hype, Lowden responded to the rumours, but did not confirm or deny whether he was part of the auditioning process.

“On this… it’s all very flattering. It’s nice to be mentioned – for any role – and I’m just not really going to add to the noise,” he said.

Last month, his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman claimed the new Bond had been chosen, adding that he had his “fingers crossed” for Lowden.

Speaking to Canada’s Global, Oldman said: “It’s been rumoured 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.”

When asked by GQ Hype about Oldman’s comments, Lowden said: “It’s very nice, and Gary’s a sweetheart – it’s particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don’t really listen to it.”

He added: “As a young male actor, generally, the minute you’re not playing a zany artist type, the minute you’re in a suit, people fling it at you.”

During an appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival, Oldman clarified his remarks and said he had only heard a rumour that producers had selected an actor from a shortlist, not that Lowden had been cast.

“So, I do not know [who has gotten the part], but I’m hoping it’s Jack,” he said.

Lowden is best known for his roles in films including Dunkirk and Mary Queen Of Scots, as well as TV roles in Slow Horses and War & Peace.

The actor has also been awarded two Baftas and a Laurence Olivier Award as well as nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

He is next starring alongside Emma Corrin in Dolly Alderton’s adaptation of Pride And Prejudice.

The next Bond film is in development after it was announced last year that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would write the script.

Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the upcoming project, which is currently untitled, while Dune’s Denis Villeneuve will direct.

Pascal told Deadline, earlier this year, about casting: “I would say (an announcement by) the end of the year is a good bet.

“We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with (producer) Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.

“And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”

In an interview with The Sunday Times published at the weekend, former James Bond actor Ben Whishaw said he thought the franchise “needs to be reinvented completely” for its next instalment.

The 46-year-old starred in three James Bond films alongside Craig as the character of Q, the quartermaster who heads the MI6 research and development team.

Reflecting on the future of the franchise, he said: “The world has changed so much since the last Bond film so you have to find what is relevant about it.

“I think it needs to be reinvented completely. But it’s not for me to say.”

Addressing the speculation about who will replace Craig, he said there was “deliberate hype”.

“When you are working on it, it’s incredibly secretive, almost like being a spy.

“You only get the pages of the script that you are in. It’s a ploy to create suspense and glamour, but it’s kind of fun,” he said.