Gary Oldman: I’ve no ‘inside’ info on 007 but my Slow Horses co-star is ideal
Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman has backed his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden to be the next James Bond, as rumours swirl that the 007 role has already been cast.
The veteran performer caused a stir last weekend when he appeared to suggest that Lowden had it in the bag.
But on Friday (local time) he told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival that he didn’t have the inside track on one of the most eagerly awaited casting decisions of the decade, but was definitely rooting for his colleague.
He said: “I simply said, ‘Well, I believe that they’ve chosen the guy ... and Jack is on the list’. And I said, ‘Fingers crossed for Jack’, and then that was reported that I had some inside information.
“I don’t know any more than you do. There’s six candidates. The rumour is that they’ve made their pick, but we don’t know who it is, and they’re waiting to announce it.”
Still, said Oldman, the 36-year-old Lowden would be a great choice to fill a role previously occupied by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and – most recently – Daniel Craig.
Oldman said: “Jack is ... young, he’s masculine, he’s incredibly funny, which I think is important.”
Lowden is also Scottish, which might work in his favour, said Oldman, adding it was “a nod to Sean Connery” that might chime with producers carrying the weight of a franchise rich in history.
He added: “Part of the recipe for Bond, he’s got to have his sort of tongue in his cheek slightly, and a twinkle in his eye, and Jack Lowden has those qualities. And he’s a lovely guy to boot.”
The most recent 007 feature, No Time To Die, was in 2021.
Since then, Amazon MGM has acquired creative control of the franchise, announcing the new instalment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders.
Knight recently hinted that a decision on an actor was imminent, with stars including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi and Kingsley Ben-Adir all previously linked with the role.
Oldman has worked with Lowden since the start of Slow Horses, the sixth season of which hits Apple TV soon.
He said it was a pleasure to be part of a cast that had real connections, adding: “We’ve been together since day one ... and we all get on.
“As we get closer to coming back to do the show, often I’m quite excited to just get on the plane and get to see the gang.”
- AFP