Jack Lowden's odds of playing James Bond have surged after former Pointless star Richard Osman claimed the Slow Horses actor is being "strongly considered" for the iconic role.
Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Osman said: "Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that’s happened before. The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden. It is definitively not a 'he’s definitely got it' thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing."
Daniel Craig energy
Osman's co-host, Marine Hyde, said the 36-year-old actor could be the perfect age for the role. "I think Jack Lowden would be an incredible Bond. He’s got real Daniel Craig energy," Hyde added.
Producer Amy Pascal recently told Deadline that any announcement could come "by the end of the year," adding: "Having worked with 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 a stirring and exciting and different."
Odds slashed
Bookmakers Coral have watched Lowden come in to 5-1 in the odds from 10-1 earlier. Coral’s John Hill said: "The Bond market has been shaken, not stirred, by a flood of bets for Jack Lowden. He's gone from dark horse to one of the hottest names in the race, and if the interest continues, Callum Turner's grip on top spot could soon be under threat."
Turner remains the favourite at present, and previously opened up on the speculation. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Turner, 36, denied any chats had already taken place. He said: "I know as much as you do – really, I know as much as you do."
When asked if he was interested in the part, he is said to have "laughed and looked down at his sneakers", according to the publication. He went on: "I will tell you what’s so funny about the Bond thing: Even your best friends ask you, people text you that you haven’t spoken to for 10 years – and you know nothing! It is such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing."
