Gary Oldman claims James Bond has been cast and backs Jack Lowden — the second insider to say that name in a month
Somewhere in a locked room at Amazon MGM, an executive just spat out their coffee, because Gary Oldman — Oscar winner, national treasure, man with zero official connection to the Bond franchise — went on Canadian morning television and casually announced that the next 007 has already been chosen.
Not "shortlisted." Not "in talks." Chosen.
What the man actually said
Promoting the new season of Slow Horses, Oldman was asked about the Bond rumors swirling around his co-star Jack Lowden, and instead of doing the polite celebrity shrug, he said this:
"They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet," Oldman said, adding that his fingers are crossed for Jack.
Which is an insane thing to say out loud if you know something, and an even funnier thing to say if you don't.
Read more: Who is the new James Bond? A fresh insider report calls every rumored 2026 frontrunner "bogus"
The pattern is becoming a shape
Here's why this isn't just one man being delightful. In August, Richard Osman — a certified industry gossip conduit — claimed on his podcast that a source told him the decision was done, and named the same actor:
"The name I've heard is Jack Lowden," Osman said, while hedging that nothing was locked.
Two insiders. One month. One Scottish actor. And a few extra breadcrumbs for the conspiracy corkboard:
- Bond 26's casting director is Nina Gold — the same person who cast Lowden in Slow Horses;
- Denis Villeneuve is directing, Steven Knight is writing, and production is expected next year, so the clock is loudly ticking;
- Lowden's wife, Saoirse Ronan, has been out here publicly campaigning to play a Bond villain, which would make them the most powerful couple in espionage since... ever, actually.
The necessary bucket of cold water
Amazon has confirmed nothing, and Oldman's phrasing leaves open the possibility that he only knows a choice was made — not who. He could be reading the same rumors we are, just with better cheekbones. But when the eventual announcement drops and it's Lowden, remember that a 68-year-old man on a Canadian breakfast show scooped the entire trade press.
Previously we wrote: How much did Coyote vs Acme cost to make? Ketchup paid less to rescue it than Warner spent making it
