Pierce Brosnan Reflects on Bond Role, Legacy, and Future Actors

Pierce Brosnan has expressed no regrets about his decision to take on the iconic role of James Bond, despite being advised against it by his mentor, Christopher Fettes. The 72-year-old actor, who portrayed Bond from 1995 to 2002, believes that the role significantly contributed to his career longevity and global recognition. In an interview with The Guardian, Brosnan noted, “Christopher wanted me doing obscure 19th-century plays, but my dream was always movies.”

Reflecting on his time as Bond, Brosnan acknowledged that while his successor, Daniel Craig, returned to theatre after leaving the role, he has never felt the urge to make a similar shift. He remarked, “I was impressed that Daniel had the bottle to go back out there. I thought, ‘Why the heck didn’t I?’ You have to really want it, and I didn’t.”

Brosnan played 007 in four films, which he credits with providing him opportunities that he cherishes. When asked whether Fettes was correct about Bond being beneath him, he responded, “It’s very kind of Christopher. But thank God for Bond. It’s given me longevity. It’s given me the world in many respects.”

As the conversation shifts to the future of the Bond franchise, Brosnan has reiterated his belief that the next actor to take on the role should be British. High-profile names such as James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy, and Aidan Turner have been floated as potential candidates. Brosnan insists that the legacy of Bond is best suited to a British actor.

In another significant shift for the franchise, Brosnan has supported the decision by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to hand creative control to Amazon. He commented to the Sunday Telegraph, “It takes great courage for them to let go. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect.”

Brosnan feels a deep sense of pride in his own contributions to the Bond legacy. “History has been passed on and I’m very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond and the movies I made with Barbara and Michael,” he stated.

In a related note, actor Taron Egerton recently shared his thoughts on the possibility of stepping into the shoes of the legendary spy. The 35-year-old actor believes he is too “messy” for the role, stating, “I think I’m not— 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.”

Egerton highlighted the weight of leading the Bond franchise, remarking, “James Bond is quite an undertaking.” He further added, “I think I’m at a period in my life where, as you say, I’ve been probably following the things that speak to me on a creative level a little bit more, but, you know, I’m sure I won’t feel that way forever.”

As the future of the Bond franchise looms, the industry watches closely to see how the next chapter unfolds, with Brosnan’s legacy firmly etched in its storied history.