Knight Confirms 007 Cast Amid Oldman's Endorsement of Jack Lowden

Key points

• Steven Knight stated on BBC Radio 4 that the lead actor for the new James Bond film has been selected, but he declined to reveal the identity, saying 'I cannot speak about this subject.'
• Gary Oldman claimed in an interview with Canada's Global that the choice has been made but not yet announced, explicitly supporting his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden for the role.
• Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the upcoming film, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing for Amazon MGM Studios, which acquired full control of the franchise in February 2025.
• Auditions took place in August 2026, with producers informing shortlisted talent; Knight noted that knowing the actor makes writing easier but emphasized writing the character, not the actor.
• The next film is expected to release in 2028, potentially the largest gap between Bond films, and may be announced on Prime Video or around Global James Bond Day on October 5.

Background

The James Bond franchise has been under the control of Amazon MGM Studios since February 2025, following their acquisition of MGM and the rights to the character. The previous Bond film, No Time to Die, concluded Daniel Craig's tenure in 2021. The new film is being written by Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders, and directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune. The casting process has been shrouded in secrecy, with Amazon MGM Studios refusing to confirm details during the audition phase.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter both reported on Gary Oldman's public endorsement of Jack Lowden, with Oldman claiming the choice has been made but not announced. The Independent and BBC focused on the broader casting process and the secrecy surrounding the decision, with BBC noting that the announcement might be tied to Prime Video or Global James Bond Day. All sources agree that Steven Knight has confirmed the actor is cast but refused to name them, highlighting the franchise's tradition of secrecy. The BBC also noted that the next film may be a reboot, reflecting Bond's early years at MI6, to avoid continuity issues with No Time to Die's conclusion.

Why it matters

The casting of the next James Bond is a major event in the film industry, as it determines the future direction of one of the most iconic franchises in cinema. The choice of actor will influence the tone and style of the upcoming film, which is expected to be directed by Denis Villeneuve and produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The secrecy surrounding the casting has generated significant speculation and media attention, with various names being floated, including Jack Lowden, Jacob Elordi, and Callum Turner. The announcement will likely impact streaming subscriptions and box office expectations, given Amazon's investment in the franchise.

What to watch

The next step is the official announcement of the new James Bond, which is expected to happen soon, possibly around Global James Bond Day on October 5, 2026. The announcement may be made exclusively on Prime Video, as suggested by The BBC. The film is expected to release in 2028, and the casting decision will influence the writing and production process, with Steven Knight and Denis Villeneuve working closely to develop the script and direction.