The Oscar-winning actor caused a stir earlier this week when he said that Bond producers had \u201cmade their choice\u201d<\/a> and that his \u201cfingers are crossed\u201d for his Slow Horses<\/a> co-star Lowden. <\/p>\n His comments sent Bond speculation into overdrive, especially considering Lowden had been named one of the favourites for the role. <\/p>\n However, Oldman has now clarified that he meant to say that one of the actors on the shortlist had already been chosen.<\/p>\n Speaking to journalist Josh Horowitz during a Visionaries session at the Toronto International Film Festival, Oldman said: \u201cThere\u2019s six people on a shortlist. I heard a rumour that they\u2019ve picked James Bond, but they haven\u2019t announced it yet, which is their prerogative.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cSo I do not know [who has got the part], but I\u2019m hoping it\u2019s Jack,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Oldman clarified that he \u201cdid not volunteer\u201d the information, but was asked about it in an interview. \u201cAnd I said, \u2018Yeah, I hear that they\u2019ve cast it, but obviously we\u2019re waiting for them to announce it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n He continued: \u201cI said, \u2018Fingers crossed for my mate Jack.\u2019 And that was it. Like I\u2019m in with the Bond people. I\u2019ve got a red thumb. So, let me please put the record straight, I do not know who the next James Bond is.\u201d<\/p>\n The next Bond film will be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the screenplay <\/a>and Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing. Villeneuve, Pascal, and Heyman have been involved in the casting process, while casting director Nina Gold is also working on the search.<\/p>\n Other actors also reported to be in the running<\/a> to become Bond include Callum Turner<\/a>, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Jack Barton.<\/p>\n The Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star confirmed the same to Deadline later, telling the publication that the headlines \u201cmade it sound like I had a hotline to Denis [Villeneuve]\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they took it to the very edge of misquoting me, moved things around like they do, and it became a headline,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Oldman, who plays irascible intelligence officer Jackson Lamb opposite Lowden\u2019s ambitious MI5 agent River Cartwright on Slow Horses<\/a>, said the cast were also \u201crooting for him\u201d, prompting vigorous nods from the team around him. <\/p>\n He added he had since spoken to Lowden by phone to explain what had happened, with the actor replying: \u201cOh, they do that kind of thing, the f***ers.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking to The Independent back in June<\/a>, casting director Debbie McWilliams, who helped select previous Bond actors such as Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Craig, said \u201cit is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"Gary](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01M1X6QDFDBPTTDZQQ3JK4T3B1.jpg\")
Gary Oldman has walked back his comments about the next James Bond, saying he does not know who has been chosen to replace Daniel Craig as 007, but is \u2018hoping\u2019 for Jack Lowden (Apple TV+)<\/p>\n![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789372812_430_Screenshot-2026-09-08-at-10-04-06.png\")
Daniel Craig\u2019s final appearance as Bond came in 2021\u2019s No Time to Die , in which he played the spy for a fifth and final time (Amazon MGM Studios)<\/p>\n