Saoirse Ronan Expressed Interest in Bond Villain Role

The actress discussed her desire to play a female antagonist in the upcoming James Bond film.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Film — General

Gouache-painted illustration of elegant leather gloves resting on a dark surface, evoking the cinematic intrigue of a villainous role.
Actress Saoirse Ronan has publicly expressed interest in portraying a female antagonist in the upcoming installment of the James Bond film franchise. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Saoirse Ronan has reiterated her interest in portraying a female villain in the next James Bond franchise installment. She specified that she envisions a character driven by an independent agenda.

Why it matters

The casting remains a subject of intense speculation as the film approaches its planned 2028 release. Ronan noted that her husband, actor Jack Lowden, has also been frequently linked to the lead role of James Bond.

Actor Jack Lowden, who is 36 years old, is currently linked to the lead role in the upcoming production. The project is being directed by Denis Villeneuve with a screenplay penned by Steven Knight.

The players

Saoirse Ronan

She is an acclaimed actress who recently starred in the film Bad Apples.

Jack Lowden

He is a 36-year-old actor who is married to Saoirse Ronan and has been mentioned in reports regarding the casting of James Bond.

Denis Villeneuve

He is the director attached to the upcoming installment of the James Bond film series.

Steven Knight

He is a prominent screenwriter tasked with writing the script for the next Bond film.

Amazon MGM Studios

This major studio is the production entity responsible for the next installment of the James Bond franchise.

The details

In an interview with PEOPLE, Ronan shared her aspirations to tackle a complex antagonist role. She further expanded on these thoughts during an August 2026 interview with Empire, emphasizing her interest in the franchise following the release of her recent film, Bad Apples.

Timeline

  1. 2024: Ronan first expressed interest in a Bond role.

  2. August 24, 2026: Ronan reiterated her interest during an Empire interview.

  3. September 18, 2026: Bad Apples was released in the United States and United Kingdom.

  4. 2028: The next James Bond film is scheduled for theatrical release.

Industry Dynamics

The James Bond franchise remains one of the most high-stakes properties in Hollywood, with every casting rumor reflecting the broader intense competition for tentpole film roles. This speculation underscores the massive cultural influence and branding power inherent in the series.

Fans should monitor official updates from Amazon MGM Studios to track confirmed casting announcements for the 2028 release. No specific tickets or streaming platforms have been announced for the production yet.

The takeaway

Casting rumors surrounding high-profile franchises often reflect the intense public interest in the development process of major blockbusters. Audiences tracking these projects should distinguish between actor aspirations and official studio announcements.

Further reading

For more on upcoming studio productions, visit the Film — General section.

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