Jack Lowden has responded to speculation that he is set to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, saying he is "flattered" by the reports but refusing to engage with them. The 36-year-old actor, known for his role as River Cartwright in Apple TV's Slow Horses, is one of three actors reportedly screen tested by Amazon Prime in recent weeks, alongside Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor.
In a new interview, Lowden addressed the claims that he is the frontrunner to take over from Craig. "It's all very flattering," he said. "It's nice to be mentioned – for any role – and I'm just not really going to add to the noise."
Co-star support
His Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman previously said he hoped Lowden would get the role. In an interview in September, Oldman said: "It's been rumoured that [Lowden is] on the shortlist. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack." He later clarified that he did not know whether Amazon had chosen who would play Bond, but had heard a rumour that they had and was "hoping it's Jack".
Lowden appeared pleased with Oldman's comments, telling GQ Magazine it was "very nice" to hear those words. "Gary's a sweetheart – it's particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don't really listen to it."
The Scottish actor added that he thought any young male actor would eventually be asked about Bond. He said he believed it was the kind of role "people fling at you" as soon as you put on a suit instead of playing a "zany artist type".
Casting process continues
Previously, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson and Nicholas Hoult have all been reported as 'in contention' to play Bond, but all three are now thought to be out of the running, with just Lowden, Turner, O'Connor and a mystery fourth actor left. Some reports have suggested this unknown actor is Joe Alwyn, SAS: Rogue Heroes star Jack Barton or Jack O'Connell.
Amazon will also have to cast a new actor to play Bond's tech genius Q, as Ben Whishaw, who has played the role since Skyfall, has said he thinks the entire franchise needs to be "reinvented".
The new film, which will be directed by Oscar-nominated director Denis Villeneuve, follows Craig's last run as Bond in No Time to Die. The film came out in 2021, after being delayed by the pandemic. Bosses at Amazon MGM Studios have been looking for an actor to step into the shoes of the 007 spy since Craig bowed out in 2021 after 15 years in the role, and now, according to reports, the decision could be nearer than ever as a trio of acting talents are said to have been offered what is usually the final stage in the casting process.
