Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan voices his opinion on the hunt for a new male lead to play the British spy. Bond is perhaps one of the most iconic heroes in cinema history, with Brosnan being the fifth lead to take up the role in the EON Production films. He portrayed Bond for a four film stretch of GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and his finale in the role Die Another Day. In 2006, Daniel Craig replaced Brosnan as Bond in Casino Royale. Craig recently stepped down from the role after the conclusion of No Time To Die, leaving the part open for the first time in 16 years.
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Brosnan and Craig's runs as the suave, martini sipping agent were met with a mixed reception from critics and fans alike. While the leads themselves were met with mostly universal praise for their commitment to the role, the films in which they respectively starred varied in quality. Each iteration of Bond has had their own unique styles, Brosnan brought back a quipper Bond that had a one-liner for every situation and an exuberant supply of gadgets, while Craig adopted a more aggressive, modernized, adaptation of 007.
What both men have certainly shared is the weight that comes with owning such an iconic role. As speculation grows about who will take over the role next, Brosnan was asked about Craig's successor. Speaking with the Belfast Telegraph, Brosnan offered both his opinion on what may be next for Bond and support for whoever takes the mantle. See what he had to say below:
"Who should do it? I don’t care, it’ll be interesting to see who they get, who the man shall be, whoever he be, I wish him well."
Despite the brevity of his message, the Irish star clearly still takes an interest in what is happening with his former role. Brosnan has previously commented on Craig's time as Bond, sharing both positive and mixed feelings towards the most recent iteration of a character who shaped a significant portion of his career. Regardless of what route is taken with the character, Brosnan appears to be in full support of whichever actor lands the role, hoping that a new generation of Bond can continue to impress fans.
Interestingly, his comments regarding who exactly will take the role of James Bond perhaps speak the loudest. Anticipation and concern for the announcement of a new Bond always causes debates and fractures among the fan base. The suitability of certain stars is constantly scrutinized by the public and this sometimes makes the selection process an admittedly more exciting part of cinematic discourse. Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Jack O'Connell have all been names that have been circulated, though clear decisions on the future are yet to have been made. Yet, Brosnan, who has actually inhabited the role for a significant period, seems to care little about the selection itself. With the almost universal love for Craig following his spell as 007, it is easy to forget how skeptical a majority of the fan base was about him before the release of Casino Royale. Brosnan understands this pressure better than anyone, hence his best wishes to whoever it is replacing Craig, and perhaps revealing that a little patience and faith may go a long way if fans want to truly enjoy the next chapter of a beloved character.