Pierce Brosnan weighs in on James Bond debate as he reveals which Hollywood star he is backing to be the next 007 after Daniel Craig

It’s the question on every film-lover’s lips at the moment – who’s going to be the next actor to don the iconic tux of James Bond?

Rumours have been circling about who could be the new 007 ever since Daniel Craig announced the 2021 film No Time To Die would be his last.

A number of names have been touted for the role from Luther star Idris Elba being an initial frontrunner to The Gentleman’s Theo James becoming fans’ actor of choice.

With speculation now as rife as ever, Pierce Brosnan, who played the special agent in five movies between 1995 and 2002, has chimed into the debate. 

The GoldenEye actor, 72, has revealed he has his eyes set on one Hollywood star who he believes would ‘make a fine’ 007. 

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Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, now 72, has revealed who he wants to be the next 007

Speculation has been rife about who could succeed Daniel Craig after the Brit relinquished his role as 007 after No Time To Die

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross show, the Irishman was asked about the possibility of Aaron Taylor-Johnson donning the tux.

‘I think he would make a very fine Bond,’ Brosnan replied. 

‘He was actually in one of the movies I made called The Greatest. This young man we cast as The Greatest.

‘He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence… he would be so good. But there’s many men on the list, I’m sure.’

Taylor-Johnson, 34, had long been a frontrunner to play the iconic spy and sat at the top of bookies’ odds lists in 2022 and 2023.

It was thought the Godzilla star was former Bond producer Barbara Broccoli’s top candidate for the part before Amazon bought the franchise and handed over production to David Heyman and Emily Pascal.

Aaron has since slightly dropped down the odds lists after repeatedly playing down talk of becoming 007 when quizzed by journalists. 

‘It’s not really for me to say anything,’ he told Esquire. 

Brosnan is backing Godzilla star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, for the part

‘I think he would make a very fine Bond,’ said the Irishman who starred in five Bond films with the first in 1995

But speculation surrounding the Brit reignited this week after he dropped what fans thought could be a major hint that he’s to be the next Bond.

Aaron has become the latest superstar to become an ambassador of luxury watch brand Omega – who have been producing the wristwear of 007 actors for 30 years.  

Brosnan was the first special agent to don an Omega watch during the 1995 film GoldenEye and the partnership has flourished ever since, with Craig wearing the brand’s SeaMaster watch during No Time To Die.

After signing the deal, Taylor-Johnson said: ‘I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega.

‘Now after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product.’

Omega’s CEO described Taylor-Johnson as a ‘versatile actor with a range that covers action, thriller, romance and much more’.

But in new odds released by bookies this week, the actor has been pipped at the top by two British stars.

The current bookies’ favourite to become the next Bond is none other than the Divergent series star Theo James, 40, who is currently 6/4.

Aaron dropped a major hint that he could be Craig’s successor this week as it was announced that he’s the latest stat to become a global ambassador for Omega – who have been producing the wrist wear of 007 actors for 30 years

After signing the deal, Aaron said: ‘I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega’

Craig sported Omega’s luxury watches throughout his 15-year tenure as the special agent

The Brit has previously impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen.

But James has played down speculation linking him to the part, telling The Guardian last year that it ‘probably wouldn’t be me’.

Second favourite to become the latest actor ‘with a license to kill’, according to Ladbrokes, is Superman star Henry Cavill (3/1), ahead of Aaron in third (7/2).

While Coral’s list of candidates comes in as Theo James at 6/4, Henry Cavill (3/1), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (7/2), James Norton (6/1) and Jack Lowden (12/1).

Betting habits suggest eager fans are growing in confidence that James could star in the next movie, with 70% of all bets on the next 007 placed on The White Lotus actor.

Ladbrokes representative Cal Gildart said: ‘Henry Cavill’s return to the head of the Bond betting didn’t last long, with Theo James as short as anyone has been to pick up the world’s most famous license to kill.

It was announced earlier this year that Amazon Prime had taken over ‘creative control’ of the James Bond franchise leaving fans fearing the beloved films could be ruined by endless spin-offs.

The deal comes after Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 as a part of its media push. The acquisition gave Amazon distribution rights to the 007 franchise but not creative control.

The Gentlemen actor Theo James, 40, is the bookmakers’ new favourite for the role [Pictured in May 2024]

Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list last week but has now been pipped by Theo [Pictured in April 2024]

The company is said to be fast-tracking the new movie after spending a reported $1billion to regain control from Barbara.

Producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal have been hired and they are understood to be close to a deal with director Alfonso Cuaron. Then they will go about casting the next Bond.

As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for a ‘straight up’ reboot after Daniel Craig’s iteration of 007 died in No Time To Die.

There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.

Amazon bosses are said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.

Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered – with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.