In a new profile for GQ, Jack Lowden addressed the James Bond casting speculation that has followed him since Gary Oldman's September remarks. Lowden, a Scottish actor known for playing River Cartwright in Slow Horses, said: "It's all very flattering. It's nice to be mentioned, for any role, and I'm just not really going to add to the noise."
Oldman's comments aired on Canada's Global in September. He said "they have picked him" and added, "So my fingers are crossed for Jack." He later walked back the claim at the Toronto International Film Festival, saying he had only heard talk of a shortlist. Lowden called Oldman "a sweetheart" and said the praise was "particularly lovely, coming from someone like him," before adding: "But I don't really listen to it."
According to Deadline, Lowden is one of four actors expected to screen-test for Denis Villeneuve's Bond reboot at Amazon MGM. Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor are also understood to be part of the shortlist. The fourth name has not been reported. Nina Gold, who cast Lowden as River Cartwright in Slow Horses, is heading the search alongside Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
Lowden reflected on how the industry tends to link young male actors to franchise roles: once you're "in a suit," he said, people "fling it at you." He did not confirm or deny his involvement. No official announcement has been made.
