Pierce Brosnan refuses to hand-pick Daniel Craig’s successor, but the former 007 believes the franchise may look far beyond the usual shortlist. Meanwhile, his Thursday Murder Club costar Tom Ellis claims Brosnan already gave him a personal vote of confidence for next James Bond.
Pierce Brosnan on who the next James Bond should be
Brosnan, who carried the Walther PPK across four films from 1995 to 2002, told The Times he follows the casting race closely but won’t endorse a name. Auditions for Denis Villeneuve‘s movie have reportedly taken place, and Brosnan sees a pool of contenders. “There are lots of good hats in the ring. Lots of great actors,” he said. “They could probably just go left-field and pick someone that none of us know about.”
He stayed deliberately vague on favourites for next James Bond. “I wouldn’t pick anyone. My wife told me not to say anything and I’ve said too much,” Brosnan added. “Because once I say something, it goes [everywhere] and I get hanged.”
Tom Ellis reveals what Pierce Brosnan told him about James Bond
Where Brosnan stayed coy publicly, he apparently spoke plainly in private. Ellis told Metro UK that his costar told him he’d fit the role. “He did tell me he thought I’d make a good Bond, and I was like, ‘Pierce, I think I’m probably too old now. But I’ll take it from you, mate. I’ll take it from you,’” Ellis said.
The next James Bond speculation continues to swirl. Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson and Jack Lowden have all been reported as contenders.
Brosnan debuted as 007 in 1995’s GoldenEye, returning for Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Craig took over in 2006’s Casino Royale and bowed out with 2021’s No Time to Die.