Former James Bond
actor Pierce Brosnan addresses whether he would be interested in returning to the franchise. Making his debut as the iconic British superspy in 1995’s GoldenEye, Brosnan played 007 for four films in total, including Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). Daniel Craig replaced Brosnan with Casino Royale in 2006 before himself departing the franchise with 2021’s No Time To Die. Following Amazon’s takeover of the franchise, James Bond 26 is confirmed, but who will play the spy remains a mystery.
In a recent interview with GQ, Brosnan is asked whether he’s aware of the calls for him to return as an older Bond and whether he would actually be open it. While Brosnan, 71, admits that he’s “interested” in a franchise return, he does say that he thinks it may be best to let someone new take over. Check out his comment below:
I’ve heard of that. Of course, how could I not be interested? But it’s a delicate situation now. I think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie, really. I think so. It’s a rather romantic notion and idea, but I think everything changes, everything falls apart. I think that it’s best left to another man, really. Fresh blood.
What Brosnan’s 007 Interest Means For James Bond 26
Amazon’s 007 Takeover Explained
Amazon acquired Bond distributor MGM in 2022, and it was confirmed last month that longtime franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have now handed over total creative control to the company. It’s been 4 years since No Time To Die, and reports have suggested that Broccoli and Wilson made no meaningful progress on a new film, apparently unsure of where to take the character next. Amazon, however, once the deal pᴀsses regulatory approval later this year, is sure to move quickly to get another Bond movie off the ground, and that will mean casting a new actor.
Considering Amazon will probably want the next Bond to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, it’s unclear whether Brosnan could return. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, after all, just recently put a poll up on X asking who fans want as the new 007, and Henry Cavill was one of the most popular choices. That being said, since Amazon surely wants to create a Bond cinematic universe of sorts with spinoffs and TV shows, it’s certainly conceivable that Brosnan could appear in a one-off project as an older 007.
Cavill was once in the running to star in Casino Royale, but he lost out on the role because he was deemed too young.
Our Take On Brosnan’s Potential Bond Return
Where The Franchise Should Go Next
As with essentially all iterations of 007, Brosnan’s run had its ups and downs, with GoldenEye generally considered a highlight and Die Another Day sending him out on a bit of a sour note. That being said, he was generally well-liked as 007 and, even in his 70s, he certainly looks like he could pull the part off. Though many are sure to be skeptical of Amazon’s Bond takeover (for good reason), it does open the door for an array of 007 projects that would have never before been possible, and a one-off older Bond movie could certainly work.
That being said, as Brosnan himself suggests, Amazon arguably needs to bring in some new blood and really nail Bond 26. This would help to usher in a new era for the franchise, and hopefully one that appeals to new fans instead of just those who were around during the Brosnan era. It remains to be seen whether Brosnan will ever actually return as James Bond, but it’s certainly an interesting possibility.
Source: GQ
