The role of James Bond is among the most coveted parts in Hollywood, but there’s one actor who wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. Theo James, star of The Gentlemen and The White Lotus, is the latest to rule himself out of Hollywood’s most talked-about race. In a new interview with GQ, the 41-year-old called himself “too old” to don the famous tuxedo, and suggested he wouldn’t want the part even if it were to be offered to him.
Daniel Craig, for example, played Bond in five movies across 15 years, from 2006 to 2021. Before him, it was Pierce Brosnan behind the wheel of the Aston Martin, where he remained for four films over seven years from 1995 to 2002. In 2022, longtime franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, reiterated the importance of finding an actor willing to stay in the role.
While the duo have since handed over the reins to Amazon MGM in a sale that took place in February, chances are casting director Nina Gold is still searching for an actor who is willing to give up at least a decade of their career to playing Ian Fleming’s dashing spy. Beyond simply the time commitment, James appeared also to be addressing the lifelong association that any actor who plays Bond will inevitably have with the character. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. There are plenty of other actors who are reportedly eyeing up the role, including The Capture star Callum Turner – though he kept remarkably schtum when he was recently asked about the rumours.
Alongside names such as Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi and Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden, Turner is said to be one of the actors that casting director Nina Gold has her eye on since she began her search in May. The actor – who married pop star Dua Lipa in a lavish Italian ceremony in June – kept to the party line, repeating “I’m not going to comment on that” when pressed by the interviewer. At least Turner has proven that he possesses Bond’s famed ability to stay silent under pressure.
Meanwhile, Richard Osman is convinced someone else has nabbed the part. The podcaster and author claimed he heard Slow Horses star Jack Lowden is “being strongly considered”. He is definitely being strongly considered.
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