NEED TO KNOW
Taron Egerton isn’t so sure about taking over the iconic role of James Bond.
“I don’t think I’m a good choice for it,” Egerton, 35, told Collider while promoting his new film, She Rides Shotgun.
“I think I’m too messy for that,” he continued. “I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig’s tenure. But I think I wouldn’t be good at it, and I think there’s so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.”
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Bond is based on British author Ian Fleming’s character, who first appeared in the 1953 novel Casino Royale.
The role was originated onscreen by Sean Connery in 1962’s Terence Young-helmed Dr. No. Other actors who’ve played the famed spy include George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
Bond was last played by Craig in 2021’s No Time To Die. He also played the part in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). The actor, 57, told the Los Angeles Times in November 2022 that after five films, he “need[ed] to move on” from the famed franchise.
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Denis Villeneuve will direct the next Bond movie, which will mark the 26th film in the 60-year-old franchise. The project will be the first since producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to a new joint venture with Amazon MGM in February. (Amazon MGM now has creative control of the franchise, while Broccoli and Wilson remain co-owners of the series.)
Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the new film. Amazon MGM has yet to announce a writer and casting for the new Bond has not been announced.
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Egerton noted that taking on such a revered role “is quite an undertaking” while adding that he also hasn’t been approached for it. “It’s possibly not quite the thing that would make me happiest. I do think it’s a big old undertaking, it kind of consumes your life, a role like that,” he said.
Current contenders for the coveted spy role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Idris Elba and Rege-Jean Page, to name a few.
The next film in the franchise does not have a confirmed release date yet.
