Pierce Brosnan gives popular actor his seal of approval to play James Bond

As James Bond casting rumours run rampant, Pierce Brosnan has weighed in (Picture: Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images) Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has spoken, giving his backing to one of the most consistently rumoured names still in the running to be the next 007. And given the timing, with an announcement of the official casting expected any time now, the Irish star’s support for Callum Turner seems to come with outsize significance. The 73-year-old star played author Ian Fleming’s suave spy in four films from 1995 to 2002 and thinks that the One Night Only actor, who is believed to have reached the final screen tests for the part in October, has the ‘presence’ to become the latest star to play Bond on the big screen. Brosnan told Vanity Fair: ‘Oh, I’m just an audience member now. I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history.’ ‘All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire,’ he added, suggesting he’s been following recent reports which also mention Slow Horses star Jack Lowden – who recently called the rumours ‘flattering’ – as well as Challengers actor Josh O’Connor. But the MobLand star then continued: ‘Callum Turner is someone I’ve worked with, and he’s so strong.’ The former 007 has backed Callum Turner, a previous co-star, singling him out as ‘so strong’ (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock) Brosnan played Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002 (Picture: MGM/Everett/Rex/Shutterstock) The pair worked together playing father and son in 2017 film The Only Living Boy in New York, alongside Kate Beckinsale, Cynthia Nixon and Jeff Bridges – and even nearly a decade ago, it’s clear Turner made a good impression on one of the very few people who would really now what it’s like to inherit Bond’s licence to kill. ‘They all have a voice and a physique, and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men,’ Brosnan said. ‘Whoever plays the role, I wish him the very best of life and strength and courage. You know, it’s hard to tell who it would be, but I eagerly await to hear the news and the celebration of the next James Bond.’ Brosnan is also looking forward to what the new film’s director, Denis Villeneuve, will bring to the franchise, saying he thought everyone was ‘going to be blown away’ by the ‘iconoclastic’ filmmaker. While sharing his ‘admiration’ for all names on the cast for the part, Brosnan also said fans would be ‘blown’ away by Denis Villeneuve’s ‘truly magnificent’ efforts as director (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage) ‘His work is visionary, and his stealth and imagination of camera work and storytelling is so visceral and sensuous. It’s going to be great. It’s going to be truly magnificent.’ Turner has long now been rumoured to replace Daniel Craig as Bond after he left the part following his final appearance as Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die. However, he claimed earlier this year that he had heard nothing about the casting process. The 36-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter in June: ‘I know as much as you do – really, I know as much as you do…’ The Masters of the Air star added that rumours linking him to the role have left him fielding lots of questions from his friends and family. Turner claimed to be in the dark in June but seems to be the name on everyone’s lips for the role now (Picture: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock) ‘I’ll tell you what’s so funny about the Bond thing: Even your best friends ask you, people text you that you haven’t spoken to for 10 years – and you know nothing! ‘It’s such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.’ I think we can assume that’s changed in recent months, however. It was also reported by The Sun over the weekend that Turner had resigned from TwentyTwo Films Ltd, a company he and his singing superstar wife Dua Lipa, 31, set up only last August. Seeing it as a major hint about his future, a source told the publication: ‘Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. Pride and Prejudice actor Jack Lowden is another actor reported to have been on the shortlist for screen tests last month (Picture: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images) ‘The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers.’ O’Connor was also cornered about the reports on Tuesday while opening the Everyman Theatre’s new education and community centre in his hometown of Cheltenham. He told the BBC that ‘to be considered in that same sort of bracket is extraordinary’. ‘It’s an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment…even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that,’ the Disclosure Day actor added. ‘But I am afraid, there is nothing to say beyond that.’ Arrow MORE: James Bond star confirms he’s quit franchise and film needs to be ‘completely reinvented’ Arrow MORE: The new Netflix Pride and Prejudice trailer reveals a major change for Olivia Colman’s character Arrow MORE: New James Bond frontrunner emerges as 007 auditions begin this weekend Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.