Taron Egerton has ruled himself out of the running to play the next James Bond, suggesting 007 filmmakers have “already got someone, and it’s not me”
The Golden Globe-winning actor, 33, has been among the names thought to be under consideration to play Bond since he starred in the Kingsmen franchise of spy movies.
But the star– who played Elton John in the Rocketman biopic – has seemingly ruled himself out, while suggesting he was never even in conversations to play 007.
In an interview with Total Film, the star said about being Bond: “Yeah. I mean, I think they’ve already got someone, and it’s not me."
He continued: “I mean, I’ve never been a part of the conversations. I’ve never met the Broccolis [Bond’s producers]. They’ve never enquired about me. I’ve just never been one of the guys that they’re looking at.
“I just don’t think I’m the right person for that. I think there are much, much, much better candidates for that role than me. But, you know, I’d be a very willing audience member. They’re brilliant films.”
Daniel Craig, who played Bond for five movies culminating in 2021 with No Time To Die – confirmed he would step back from 007 in 2019.
Since then, tens of stars have been rumoured to be taking on the role – including Paul Mescal, Theo James, Liam Hemsworth, Andrew Garfield and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
James Bond film series actor Rory Kinnear recently spoke about who could be the next Bond – suggesting it will not be a “frontrunner” or “highlighted” star.
The 44-year-old actor has starred in the last four Bond films, first appearing in Quantum Of Solace in 2008 as MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner and last in No Time To Die in 2021.
Kinnear was specifically asked on The One Show about the chances of Taylor-Johnson, 32, starring as the next Bond, after a “lot of noise” about the Kick-Ass and Bullet Train actor being up for the role.
He replied: “I always feel slightly bad for the people who are being highlighted, because that never tends to be them. They are very good at keeping the real person secret.
Kinnear, who also ruled himself out of playing Bond, added: “I’d be interested to see who does take over, obviously, but it tends not to be the frontrunner, that’s historically.”
Egerton has recently won praise for his role in Apple TV+ psychological thriller Black Bird. The actor plays prisoner Jimmy Keene, who is serving 10 years in a minimum security prison, enter a maximum security prison for the criminally insane with a mission to befriend a suspected serial killer in exchange for freedom.
Talking about what drew him to the role, Egerton told the PA news agency: “I felt that it was a script that was completely without sentiment or glorification.
“It was unashamedly an examination of one of the ugliest sides of human nature, particularly of masculinity.
“I thought there was something really unapologetic about the fact that it was looking at how awful men can be and also as the show unfolds, examining why that’s in us.
“On the page it was just electrifying to read from the moment you started reading it, you just want to know what happens, it’s such an exciting premise.
“When you add to that the fact that it really happened, it was not something I could pass on, it was such a great opportunity.”
The highly-anticipated series, written by Dennis Lehane, is based on a true story and featured Goodfellas star Ray Liotta in his final TV appearance, playing Egerton’s on-screen father.
