Saoirse Ronan addresses her James Bond villain ambitions while husband Jack Lowden tops 007 casting rumors for Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming 2028 film.
Four-time Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan finds herself back in the cinematic spotlight after joking that she may be eating her words regarding her viral desire to play an iconic James Bond villain. The narrative around the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios reboot, slated for a targeted 2028 theatrical release under visionary director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Steven Knight, took a twist as Ronan's husband, Jack Lowden, emerged as a top contender to suit up as 007.
Why Is Saoirse Ronan Reconsidering Her James Bond Villain Comments?
The ongoing conversation around the next chapter of the James Bond franchise took an entertaining turn during recent media tours for Saoirse Ronan's latest cinematic release, Bad Apples. Speaking on her long-standing interest in entering the 007 universe, Ronan admitted to re-evaluating her enthusiastic pitch to play a primary antagonist now that her real-life husband, actor Jack Lowden, is heavily linked to the title role.
Ronan initially sparked fan discussion in 2024 when she outlined her ideal vision for a modern Bond villain. Rather than occupying traditional narrative tropes, the Lady Bird and Little Women star voiced a desire to portray a calculated, multi-layered antagonist driven by distinct personal motives rather than romantic ties to the lead spy. Reaffirming her stance to Empire, she emphasized that she was dead serious about taking on a darker role, highlighting the dramatic potential of a younger female antagonist channeling pent-up anger into a high-stakes performance.
The situation evolved as reports linked Lowden to the MI6 agent's iconic Tuxedo. When pressed on the connection, Ronan lightheartedly conceded that her past statements might place them on a collision course on screen, noting that she has had to eat her words given the sudden overlap in prospective casting.
Who Is Jack Lowden and Could He Be the Next 007?
Jack Lowden, best known for his compelling role as River Cartwright in the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ thriller series Slow Horses, has surged up bookmaker shortlists and industry speculation for the lead role. The 36-year-old Scottish actor has previously worked alongside Ronan on historical drama Mary Queen of Scots (2018), as well as serving as her co-producer through their shared production endeavors.
While Amazon MGM Studios has maintained absolute secrecy regarding official screen tests and contract signings, industry reports have consistently included Lowden alongside a stacked roster of rumored talent:
- Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk)
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train, Kraven the Hunter)
- Callum Turner (Masters of the Air, Fantastic Beasts)
- Jacob Elordi (Euphoria, Saltburn)
- Harris Dickinson (The Iron Claw, Triangle of Sadness)
- Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Uncharted)
Addressing the potential of sharing the screen with Lowden once again, Ronan declined to confirm any active casting choices but shared genuine enthusiasm for future collaborations. She noted that having met through their craft and built a joint professional and personal foundation, working together again on the right creative project would be a natural choice.
What Do We Know About Denis Villeneuve's Upcoming 007 Reboot?
Following the conclusion of Daniel Craig's tenure in No Time to Die (2021), Amazon MGM Studios acquired creative control over the distribution and development pipeline of the iconic intellectual property. The studio assembled a top-tier creative team to spearhead the total creative reset:
- Directorial Vision: Denis Villeneuve, celebrated for his expansive sci-fi and thriller achievements including Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Dune: Part Two, serves as the director for the upcoming installment.
- Screenplay Development: Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders and Academy Award-nominated writer behind Eastern Promises, is penning the script.
- Production Powerhouses: Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and David Heyman (Harry Potter, Paddington) join as lead producers alongside executive producer Tanya Lapointe.
With pre-production quietly progressing toward a targeted 2028 release window, the production represents one of the most anticipated resets in modern blockbuster cinema. Whether Ronan ultimately steps into the rogue gallery or Lowden claims the Walther PPK, the next iteration of the 007 saga continues to generate immense industry momentum.