As the list of James Bond contenders grows, Taron Egerton sets the record straight and takes himself out of the running. That’s not to say he’s not interested – it’s just that the role is a long-term commitment, and that’s “quite an undertaking” for him.
Taron Egerton hasn’t received any casting calls for James Bond, and even if he’s offered the part, he wouldn’t take it. Speaking to Collider, the Kingsman star asserted he would be miscast as 007. “I don’t think I’m a good choice for it,” he mused. “I think I’m too messy for that. 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. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.“
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Fans have floated Egerton’s name among the rumored candidates as early as 2023, and the actor explained then why he couldn’t commit. “You have to be consistently statuesque to be that guy. And that’s something that I am still striving for. I’ve always struggled with my weight,” he told The Telegraph. “[It’s] a bit like being a brand ambassador as well as being an actor. And that could be really fun in microcosm, but I’m sure I read that [producer] Barbara Broccoli said that it’s a 15-year commitment.” Craig played Bond for as many years, debuting the role at 38.
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Taron Egerton Explains His Eclectic Acting Career
Egerton, 35, has come a long way since Kingsman: The Secret Service. The actor’s impressive filmography includes biographical dramas Eddie the Eagle, Tetris, and Rocketman, and he’s set to star in action thrillers Apex and She Rides Shotgun. Egerton wants to keep his career options open, which would be difficult if he were playing Bond. “I think I’m in 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,” he explained.
“James Bond is quite an undertaking and I think, one, as far as I’m aware, nobody’s asking me to do it,” he added. “But also, it’s possibly not quite the thing that would make me happiest. I do think it’s a big old undertaking, it kind of consumes your life, a role like that.” Seven actors have played 007 to date. Roger Moore starred in seven movies released from 1973 to 1985, but Craig had the longest stint, with five movies released from 2006 to 2021.
The James Bond franchise recently made headway with Denis Villeneuve confirmed to direct. An admitted die-hard Bond fan, the Dune director assured fans he would honor Bond’s legacy. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery,” he said (per Variety). “To me, he’s sacred territory… This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.”
The 26th James Bond film is still in development, pending release date.
Source: Collider
- Created by
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Ian Fleming
- Latest Film
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No Time to Die
- Cast
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Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, David Niven, George Lazenby
- Character(s)
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James Bond