The new James Bond has been chosen and the public will find out “pretty soon” who will be the fresh face of 007, according to Gary Oldman.
There has been fevered speculation about who might replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role of the suave British spy.
Names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Idris Elba, James Norton, Callum Taylor and Martin Compston have been in the mix. But one contender appears to have pulled decisively ahead since Daniel Craig hung up the tux in No Time To Die.
But in an interview with Canada’s Global News, Oldman said he was backing Jack Lowden to play the martini-swilling spy.
Oldman starred in Slow Horses with Lowden and said his co-star had been 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,” he said.
According toUS entertainment industry publication Deadline, auditions took place for the new James Bond in August.
Speaking to the publication, Amy Pascal, one of the next film’s producers, revealed that viewers would most likely find out who the new Bond was by the end of the year.
Daniel Craig played James Bond from 2006 to 2021, starring in five films for the franchise.
His final film, No Time To Die reportedly grossed $775 million at the box office.
Meanwhile, the next Bond film appears to be inching forward. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that British screenwriter Steven Knight — best known for Peaky Blinders — is writing the script. The instalment will be directed by Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune and Arrival. Heavy-hitting producers David Heyman (Harry Potter) and Amy Pascal (Spider-Man) are also on board.
Last year, Amazon finalised a game-changing deal with longtime Bond guardians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to take full control of the character and its surrounding IP, signalling a new era for the franchise.