Pierce Brosnan, well-known for his role as James Bond during the late 1990s and early 2000s, has expressed openness to reprising his iconic character. The 72-year-old actor revealed in a recent interview that he would instantly return if filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for directing Dune and Sicario, invited him to join the next James Bond movie. Brosnan, who portrayed 007 in four films from GoldenEye to Die Another Day, discussed the ongoing speculation with his wife, Keely Shaye Brosnan, about who might next take on the spy role.
Brosnan on Speculation Surrounding the Next Bond
Brosnan and his wife have been paying attention to the growing excitement and rumors about the future of the Bond franchise. He acknowledged the abundance of talented actors considered for the next 007 and expressed confidence that the producers will deliver an impressive new Bond experience.
“My wife Keely and I have been listening to the drumbeat of expectation of who’s going to be the next James Bond. There are many great candidates out there, and I’m sure they’re going to make it a spectacle of delight.” – Pierce Brosnan
Despite his age, Brosnan did not rule out the possibility of returning, especially if Villeneuve had an innovative angle for the character. He envisioned the potential for a mature, perhaps retired, version of Bond, suggesting that the project could mix seriousness with humor and creativity through makeup and effects.
“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. Why not? It’s great entertainment. It could be lots of laughs. Bald caps, prosthetics… who knows?” – Pierce Brosnan
What Led to Brosnan’s Sudden Exit from the Bond Role?
Pierce Brosnan’s time as James Bond abruptly ended after the release of Die Another Day in 2002. The actor shared that he was caught off guard by the franchise’s decision to discontinue negotiations for his return, despite early talks regarding a fifth movie.
“I was in the Bahamas working on After the Sunset when my agents called me and said, ‘Negotiations have stopped.’ Barbara [Broccoli] and Michael [G. Wilson] were not quite sure what they wanted to do next with the franchise. They said, ‘They’ll call you next Thursday.’” – Pierce Brosnan
However, the awaited call brought disappointing news. Brosnan recounted the emotional moment he learned his role as Bond had come to an end during a phone call with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, taking place at Richard Harris’ house in the Bahamas.
“I sat in Richard Harris’ house in the Bahamas, and Barbara and Michael were on the line. [They said]: ‘We’re so sorry,’” Brosnan recalled. “Barbara was crying. Michael was stoic and he said: ‘You were a great James Bond. Thank you very much.’ And I said: ‘Thank you very much. Goodbye.’” – Pierce Brosnan
Brosnan described feeling shocked and discarded by how abruptly the decision was communicated.
“That was it. I was utterly shocked and just kicked to the curb with the way it went down.” – Pierce Brosnan
Brosnan’s Bond Legacy and Availability of His Films
Having defined James Bond for a generation, Pierce Brosnan’s contributions to the franchise remain celebrated. His portrayal helped steer the character through the 1990s and early 2000s before Daniel Craig took over the role. For fans interested in revisiting Brosnan’s Bond adventures, his four movies, including GoldenEye, are currently available to stream on Prime Video.
GoldenEye and Its Notable Cast Members
GoldenEye, Brosnan’s first outing as James Bond, remains one of the most iconic films in the series. Alongside him, the movie featured prominent actors such as Sean Bean, adding to its memorable ensemble and contributing to the film’s ongoing popularity within the franchise’s history.
