Bond favourite Jack Lowden: My future lies behind the camera

Jack Lowden has broken his silence on claims he is the 'clear favourite' for the James Bond role after final auditions took place last month.

The Scottish actor, 36, explained while it's 'very flattering' to be considered alongside Callum Turner and a third mystery star for the iconic part, he believes his future lies in directing.

Jack's Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman initially sparked the Bond speculation by saying: 'It's been rumoured that [Jack is] on the shortlist [for Bond]. 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.'

Speaking to GQ Hype, Jack 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...

'It's very nice, and Gary's a sweetheart – it's particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don't really listen to it.

'As a young male actor, generally, the minute you're not playing a zany artist type, the minute you're in a suit, people fling it at you.' 

Expanding on plans for working behind the camera in the future, he added: 'I don't think it's [his future career] in acting, really. I think it's in making something of my own.' 

Jack Lowden has broken his silence on claims he is the 'clear favourite' for the anticipated James Bond role after final auditions took place last month

Speaking to GQ, Jack said: 'On [Gary's comments]… 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' 

The actor also opened up on his home life with wife Saoirse Ronan, 32, who gave birth to the couple's first child together last year. 

Reflecting on his experience of fatherhood, Jack explained: 'Since I was a kid, I always knew I wanted to be a dad, and now I am. 

'You become aware that you'll watch your kid grow up – sounds morbid – and you think, "Oh my God, I'm in charge of a kid, and I'm still a kid myself".'

Last month, it was reported that final screen tests took place at Bray Studios in Berkshire, with Jack, Callum Turner and a mystery star auditioning to be the next 007.

Bond fans have claimed they've figured out the identity of the 'mystery' actor after it was revealed that a final shortlist of stars were performing screen tests at Bray Studios.

007 sleuths flooded social media with theories about who the unnamed actor could be, and one name that has appeared multiple times is Joe Alwyn.

The actor has previously appeared in Conversations With Friends, The Brutalist, and Hamnet - and fans have said it would 'make sense' if he was the unnamed star.

Jack has also been given the clear approval from fans, with the Scottish actor given odds of 8/11 to bag the role.

Callum Turner faces 2/1 odds and all other contenders have been given a less favourable 16/1.

Bookies at Ladbrokes said: 'The Bond race looks to be reaching crunch time and punters are firmly backing Jack Lowden to get the call.

'He's already odds-on and the latest speculation has only fuelled support for him, with Callum Turner looking like his biggest threat.'

He appeared in striking snaps for the next edition of the magazine

The Scottish actor, 36, was the subject of his Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman's speculation on the role, with Gary saying: 'It's been rumored that [Jack is] on the shortlist. We're going to find out pretty soon, aren't we?' (Gary and Jack pictured in 2022)

Callum Turner auditioned to be the next 007 along with a mystery actor at Bray Studios in Berkshire

Jack and English actor Josh O'Connor were more recent names to be thrown into the ring along with Australian actor Jacob Elordi, 29, who is believed to have missed out on the role.

Confirming that the audition process was reaching an end, Bond producer Amy Pascal in August said: 'I would say the end of the year is a good bet.'

Casting by December would allow Amazon MGM Studios to start filming the next movie in 2027.

Dune director Denis Villeneuve – who is taking on the project – and bosses at Amazon announced in May that the casting process was under way.

Ms Pascal said: 'We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.

'And it's got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.'

Other stars who were previously linked with the role include The King's Man star Harris Dickinson, along with SAS: Rogue Heroes' Jack Barton.

Only six actors have ever played novelist Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent in the official film series – Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Read the full feature at GQ Hype. 

Jack also discussed his wife Saoirse Ronan, whom he joined in Italy over the summer while she was filming a new movie (the couple pictured in 2024)

After years of rumours and speculation, it was revealed over the weekend that a final shortlist of stars were performing screen tests to take over from Daniel Craig