Apple and Amazon are at war over Jack Lowden as streaming giants clash over next James Bond casting
Jack Barton, seen here in SAS: Rogue Heroes, is described by insiders as 'The One' for Bond — trained at the Oxford School of Drama, he is best known for playing villain David Nelson in Heartstopper.Jack Lowden is among five other actors on the shortlist alongside surprise frontrunner Jack Barton, with screen tests for the 007 role set to begin in early September.Callum Turner, whose Bond odds have collapsed to just 15% on Polymarket after his film 'One Night Only' flopped, remains among the six-man screen test shortlist.Jacob Elordi, one of six actors reportedly shortlisted for James Bond, faces screen tests in early September as producer Amy Pascal aims to confirm the new 007 before the year is out.Paul Mescal is among the six shortlisted actors set to screen test for James Bond in early September, with casting director Nina Gold leading the search for 007.Harris Dickinson is among the six finalists vying for 007, with Amazon MGM Studios said to be seeking an entirely new energy for the Bond franchise.
Saoirse Ronan has expressed interest in appearing in the next Bond film as her husband Jack Lowden sits at the heart of a bitter tug-of-war between Apple and Amazon over who will play 007. Lowden, 36, is among the frontrunners to succeed Daniel Craig, but Apple — which broadcasts his celebrated spy series 'Slow Horses' — is pushing back against attempts by Amazon MGM Studios, which owns the Bond franchise, to secure his services. Those close to the situation say it is reportedly 'literally impossible' for one actor to portray two British spies at the same time across rival platforms. Ronan told reporters there is 'something interesting dramatically' in the prospect of appearing alongside her husband in the film.
Should Amazon win the battle for Lowden, he would be only the second Scot to take on the Bond role, after Sean Connery.
Amazon MGM Studios took full creative control of the Bond franchise last year and has said casting will be announced 'when the time is right.'
Apple reportedly has 'huge egos' determined not to lose Lowden to a rival, with the battle between the two tech giants described as fierce.
