Gary Oldman has clarified recent remarks he made about the next James Bond, stating he does not know who has been selected to replace Daniel Craig as the iconic spy. The Oscar-winning actor had previously said that Bond producers had "made their choice" and that he was "hoping" it would be Jack Lowden, his co-star in the series Slow Horses. His comments sparked interest in the casting process, especially since Lowden had been listed among the favorites for the role. During a session at the Toronto International Film Festival, Oldman explained that he had been asked about the casting and had shared a rumor that a choice had been made. He emphasized that the Bond producers had not officially announced the decision and that he himself was not privy to who had been chosen. “I do not know [who has got the part], but I’m hoping it’s Jack,” he said, clarifying that he had not volunteered the information but had shared what he had heard. Oldman also addressed the media's interpretation of his comments, noting that headlines had exaggerated his remarks, making it seem as though he had insider knowledge of the casting process. He confirmed that the cast of Slow Horses had also been rooting for Lowden, and he had since spoken with the actor to clarify the situation. Lowden, according to Oldman, was not surprised by the misunderstanding, saying, “Oh, they do that kind of thing, the f***ers.” The upcoming Bond film will be directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, with the screenplay written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, along with casting director Nina Gold, are involved in the selection process. Other actors rumored to be in the running include Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Jack Barton. Casting director Debbie McWilliams, who previously selected Bond actors like Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, emphasized the importance of maintaining the character's mysterious nature, stating that the new Bond should remain an enigma to the audience. Daniel Craig’s final appearance as Bond was in 2021’s No Time to Die, which marked the end of his 15-year tenure as the spy. The upcoming film will be the first Bond movie under Amazon MGM’s creative control, following the transition from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.