Pierce Brosnan Thinks the Next James Bond Will Be ‘Someone That None of Us Know About’: ‘There Are Lots of Good Hats in the Ring’

Ever since Denis Villeneuve’s forthcoming James Bond film was announced, the million-dollar question has been: Who will take on the role of the iconic spy? Now, former 007 Pierce Brosnan is offering his thoughts. In a recent interview with The Times, the actor, who played the character in four films from 1995 to 2002, said that “there are lots of good hats in the ring” and “lots of great actors” being considered. “I see it. I follow it. They could probably just go left-field and pick someone that none of us know about.” When it comes to names, Brosnan remained neutral: “I wouldn’t pick anyone,” he continued. “My wife told me not to say anything and I’ve said too much. Because once I say something it goes [everywhere] and I get hanged.” Popular on Variety Brosnan also explained that he hasn’t revisited his own Bond films since their release. “I have no desire to see myself in Bond,” he said. “I’m just a member of the audience now awaiting the next Bond and wishing him well.” This isn’t the first time the actor has waded into the Bond waters — back in Aug. 2025, while speaking with the Radio Times, Brosnan joked that he’d return as a senior citizen Bond. “I don’t think anyone wants to see a craggy, 72-year-old Bond, but if Villeneuve had something up his sleeve I would look at it in a heartbeat,” Brosnan said. “Why not? It’s great entertainment. It could be lots of laughs. Bald caps, prosthetics… who knows?” Variety previously reported that Amazon MGM Studios enlisted casting director Nina Gold to find the new secret agent. Her credits include the Netflix series “The Crown,” five films in the Star Wars franchise, “Les Misérables,” “The Martian” and “Conclave.” In 2025, she was nominated for an Oscar for her work on “Hamnet.” While the final casting for the film has not been confirmed, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson and Jack Lowden have all been reported as among those in the final running.