New James Bond has reportedly been chosen as Gary Oldman hints 007 announcement is coming ‘pretty soon’

The name’s Bond, James Bond. But the man behind 007 is still classified.

After years of rumours, betting odds and enough potential 007s to fill MI6, the next James Bond has reportedly finally been chosen, and Gary Oldman says we will find out who it is “pretty soon”.

Speculation over who will inherit the licence to kill has been running wild since Daniel Craig hung up the tuxedo following his final outing in No Time To Die.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Idris Elba, James Norton, Callum Turner and Martin Compston are among the names that have been thrown into the increasingly crowded ring.

But Oldman has now dropped a rather tantalising clue — and made it clear who he hopes has been handed the keys to the Aston Martin.

The Oscar-winning actor is backing his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden for the coveted role, revealing the Scottish actor had been among those in contention.

Speaking to Canada’s Global News, Oldman suggested the decision itself had already been made behind closed doors.

“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,” he said.

In other words, somewhere out there, there may be a newly minted James Bond desperately trying not to tell anyone.

The comments follow reports from US entertainment publication Deadline that auditions for the next 007 took place in August as the franchise finally began moving towards its post-Craig era.

Producer Amy Pascal has also indicated the mystery should not drag on forever, revealing viewers would most likely discover the identity of the next Bond by the end of the year.

Craig took control of the martini glass in 2006 and went on to play the British spy across five films during his 15-year tenure.

His final mission, No Time To Die, arrived in 2021 and reportedly pulled in $775 million at the global box office before Craig officially surrendered his licence to kill.

Finding his replacement has since become one of Hollywood’s favourite guessing games.

But while the identity of the man wearing the tux remains classified, the next Bond movie itself is beginning to take shape.

Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will write the screenplay, while Oscar-nominated Dune and Arrival filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct.

There is some serious Hollywood firepower behind the scenes too, with Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Spider-Man producer Pascal overseeing the next chapter.

The film will also mark the beginning of a very different era for 007.

Amazon last year finalised a blockbuster agreement with longtime Bond custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, handing the studio creative control over the character and surrounding intellectual property.

It means the next actor will not simply be replacing Craig, he will be the first Bond chosen for a franchise operating under its new regime.

Whether Oldman gets his wish and Lowden is ordering the next vodka martini remains to be seen.

But if his comments are anything to go by, the biggest secret at MI6 may already have been decided.