Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed James Bond from 1995 to 2002, has officially stepped away from the franchise’s future. In a recent interview with The Times, the actor confirmed he has no interest in revisiting the iconic role, positioning himself strictly as an audience member for the next iteration of the series.
As the studio moves forward with casting for the next 007 film—a project now under the direction of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve—Brosnan noted that the search for a lead has been active throughout the summer. While acknowledging that there are “lots of great actors” currently in contention, Brosnan suggested that the production might take a “left-field” approach by selecting a performer who is not currently a household name.
The casting process for the upcoming installment is being led by Nina Gold, who officially signed on in March 2026. Gold, known for her work on Game of Thrones and The Crown, is tasked with identifying the successor to Daniel Craig, who concluded his tenure with 2021’s No Time to Die.
While Brosnan declined to name his personal choice for the role, his Thursday Murder Club co-star Tom Ellis shared that the former Bond had privately suggested Ellis would “make a good Bond.” Ellis told Metro UK that he was flattered by the comment but expressed skepticism about his own eligibility, noting, “I think I’m probably too old now.”
Brosnan’s tenure as 007 included four films: GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). Despite his long history with the character, the actor emphasized that he is content to remain on the sidelines, joking that his wife had advised him against speculating on the casting process to avoid media scrutiny.