Pierce Brosnan (L) and Cillian Murphy at the Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7, 2024, in Santa Monica, California.Photo:JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Pierce Brosnanhas someone in mind to play 007.
The actor, who playedJames Bondin four films from 1995 to 2002, thinks fellow Irish starCillian Murphywould be great in the role.
“Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty’s Secret Service,” Brosnan, 70, told theBBCat Thursday’sOscar Wilde Awards, where he was honored alongsideMolly Shannonand visual-effects supervisor Richie Baneham.
Despite Brosnan giving Murphy, 47, his seal of approval to play the fictional secret agent, theOppenheimerstar feels otherwise.
“No. I think I’m a bit old for that,” Murphy told reporters on thered carpet, of whether he’d be interested in taking on the James Bond mantle.
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While being honored at Thursday’s ceremony, Brosnan reflected on his decades-long acting career in his speech.
He shared, “I have been an actor all my life. I have been an actor since I was 18. I came here to America in 1982. I dropped in on a wing and a prayer, and I got very lucky.”
Brosnan also recalled of leaving London, “I borrowed 2,000 pounds from a bank manager in Wimbledon, and said I had a job here in America and I hopped on Freddie Laker. I think the tickets cost a hundred quid and you bring your own sandwiches.”
“I don’t remember what I ate, wasn’t a sandwich, but I ended up on Sunset and renting a car from Rent-A-Wreck,” he continued. “I drove over Laurel Canyon and to my very first interview in 1982. And they were looking forRemington Steele. They said, ‘Yes.’ I said ‘Yes.’ I got extremely lucky.”
Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely at the Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7, 2024, in Santa Monica, California.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
He went on to star in 1997’sTomorrow Never Dies, 1999’sThe World Is Not Enoughand 2002’sDie Another Daybefore passing on the role toDaniel Craig, who played James Bond in five films from 2006 to 2021.
Rumors have been making the rounds for years about who will replace Craig, 56, in the role, with actors includingIdris Elba,Henry CavillandAaron Taylor-Johnsonall being buzzed about.
As for Murphy, he told reporters on Thursday that he thinks Brosnan is “a lovely man,” whom he’s been a fan of since his run on the hit ’80s seriesRemington Steele.
Asked whether Brosnan has ever given him advice, theOscarnominee said, “No. We just chat. People don’t really share advice, but he’s a lovely man.”
source: people.com
