- Former 007 agent Pierce Brosnan has a favorite for the next “James Bond.”
- The internet debated whether the suggested candidate fits the role as some deem the individual “too beautiful.”
- A look at male actors once considered to take on the iconic 007 role.
As the curtain closed on Daniel Craig’s era as the legendary secret agent James Bond in 2019, the quest for his successor ignited speculation and anticipation.
Craig, reflecting on his final bow in “Spectre,” encapsulated the solitary, bittersweet moment of farewell, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise.
Daniel Craig attends the Royal Film Performance of “Spectre” at The Royal Albert Hall on October 26, 2015 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
“I need to just be on my own, kind of experiencing it. The first few minutes are always unbearable: “Why am I standing like that? What am I doing?” he said in a 2019 interview after watching his final portrayal of James Bond.
Daniel Craig attends the world premiere of “No Time to Die,” 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Recently, Brosnan, a predecessor to Craig, having graced the screen as Bond in films like “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Die Another Day,” alongside Halle Barry, has voiced his preference for the next Bond.
Pierce Brosnan in the set of “The World Is Not Enough,” 1999 | Source: Getty Images
Brosnan spoke about his preferred star for the franchise at the annual Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7, 2024, which recognizes talented Irish creatives in Los Angeles.
Pierce Brosnan Sophie Marceau “The World Is Not Enough,” 1999 | Source: Getty Images
The veteran star’s preferred actor whom he wants to become the next 007 agent recently bagged an Oscar Award at the 96th Academy Awards.
Pierce Brosnan attends US-Ireland Alliance’s 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards at Bad Robot on March 07, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images
Cillian Murphy is the actor Brosnan deemed a perfect fit for the role. “Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty’s Secret Service,” said Brosnan.
Pierce Brosnan at Build Series at Build Studio on April 6, 2017 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
However, not everyone agrees. Some fans think Murphy is “too beautiful” to play Bond. They shared their thoughts on social media, with mixed reactions.
One online user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Allow me to expand on my comment. I am a Cillian Murphy fan since 28 Days later when zombies were chasing him. I even pronounce his name with a hard “C”. He’s beautiful, but he isn’t Bond.”
