Alright Bond fans let's talk 007. The search for the next James Bond is still on and everyone's got an opinion right? Well even former 007 himself Pierce Brosnan is weighing in and he has some pretty strong feelings about who should take over the tuxedo next. Spoiler alert: he thinks being British is non-negotiable.
Brosnan Says Keep it British Bond: "It's a Given" for 007
Pierce Brosnan who played Bond from '95 to 2002 is making it clear: the next Bond actor should absolutely be British. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph he said it's a "given". Even though he's Irish himself and George Lazenby is Australian Brosnan believes sticking to a British actor for Bond is key. It's part of the character's DNA he thinks.
Names like James Norton Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James all English actors are floating around as frontrunners. But what about Austin Butler from California? Brosnan seems to lean towards keeping it closer to home base maybe hinting that an American Bond just wouldn't feel right.
Of course there are always other names in the mix like Irish stars Paul Mescal Cillian Murphy and Aidan Turner or Aussie actor Jacob Elordi. But Brosnan's leaning hard into that British vibe for Bond.
Amazon Takes Over 007: Brosnan Hopes for "Dignity Imagination and Respect"
Big news in the Bond world: Amazon MGM Studios is now in charge of the creative side of the franchise. Longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are still co-owners but Amazon is calling the shots creatively. Brosnan thinks this takeover from Amazon is a big deal and takes "great courage" from Broccoli and Wilson to hand over some control.
He told the Telegraph he hopes Amazon will handle Bond with "dignity and imagination and respect." He acknowledges that things change and "everything falls apart" but he wishes the new team well. Brosnan himself has a lot of history with the franchise starring in four Bond films starting with GoldenEye back in 1995. He’s proud of his time as 007 and wants to see the legacy continue strong.
Brosnan Reflects on Bond Legacy: "Proud to be Part of the History"
Brosnan is clearly still connected to his Bond days. He mentioned feeling "very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond". He feels like his era of Bond movies "moved the needle" and "brought it back to life" after a dormant period. GoldenEye was a huge success and really revitalized the franchise he believes.
While a new Bond film hasn't been officially announced yet the clock is ticking. Daniel Craig's last Bond movie No Time To Die came out in 2021. Making a blockbuster takes time so the gap between Bond films might end up being longer than usual. But the big question remains: who will be next to order a martini shaken not stirred?
Who Will Be 007? Bookies' Top Picks and Fan Speculation is Ramping Up
The rumor mill is spinning about who will be the next James Bond. While there's no official word yet bookmakers have their favorites. British actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton are often mentioned as top contenders. Theo James is another English name that pops up frequently.
Last year there were reports that Aaron Taylor-Johnson was actually offered the role but nothing is confirmed. Brosnan himself even gave Taylor-Johnson his vote of confidence saying he'd be a good choice. If Taylor-Johnson does take on the role he will be following in Daniel Craig's footsteps who played Bond for five movies over 15 years starting with Casino Royale in 2006.
Amazon's Bond Era: Can They Maintain 007's Legacy and Brosnan's Hopes
With Amazon now steering the creative direction of James Bond the big question is what will they do with it? Brosnan hopes they will treat it with "dignity imagination and respect" but the change in leadership is definitely a shift. Some directors like Edward Berger who directed All Quiet on the Western Front are even expressing doubts about the future of Bond under Amazon. Berger mentioned that Barbara Broccoli was "at the heart of this project" and with her role changing "it becomes a different thing."
It's a new chapter for James Bond. Will Amazon stay true to the Britishness and legacy that Brosnan and many fans value? Or will they take 007 in a completely new direction? Only time will tell but one thing is certain: the world will be watching closely to see who becomes the next James Bond and what adventures await.
Key Points from Pierce Brosnan on the Next James Bond:
- Next Bond Must Be British: Brosnan believes it is a "given" for the role.
- Amazon Takeover: Thinks it was the "right decision" for Broccoli and Wilson but hopes for "dignity imagination and respect".
- Praises Bond Legacy: Proud to have been part of Bond history especially bringing it back to life with GoldenEye.
- Favored Actors: British actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson James Norton and Theo James are rumored frontrunners.
- Uncertain Future: What Amazon will do with the franchise remains to be seen.