Pierce Brosnan thinks Thursday Murder Club co-star would make a "good Bond"

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has opened up about his thoughts on the casting for the next James Bond, after apparently telling his Thursday Murder Club co-star Tom Ellis that he would make a "good Bond".

Speaking in a recent interview, Brosnan, who played the British spy between 1995 and 2002, said there were "lots of great actors" tipped for the role.

"I have no desire to see myself in Bond. I’m just a member of the audience now awaiting the next Bond and wishing him well," the actor told The Times.

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He added: "There are lots of good hats in the ring. Lots of great actors. I see it. I follow it. They could probably just go left-field and pick someone that none of us know about."

Asked who he thought should take on the role, Brosnan said: "I wouldn’t pick anyone. My wife told me not to say anything and I’ve said too much. Because once I say something, it goes [everywhere] and I get hanged."

While Brosnan may be careful not to mention any names, his Thursday Murder Club co-star Ellis recently said that the former 007 actor told him he would be good in the role.

"He did tell me he thought I’d make a good Bond, and I was like, 'Pierce, I think I’m probably too old now. But I’ll take it from you, mate. I’ll take it from you'," Ellis told Metro UK.

With another name now in the mix, speculation continues over who will take on the iconic role next. Denis Villeneuve is already attached to direct, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight penning the script.

Speaking last month, James Bond producer Amy Pascal told fans that the next actor to play Ian Fleming’s MI6 agent will likely be announced by the end of the year.

Related: Jack Lowden 'next James Bond' comments clarified by Gary Oldman

Asked by Deadline when the casting would be revealed, Pascal said: "I would say the end of the year is a good bet."

Several names have been tipped for the role, including Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Jacob Elordi, Theo James, James Norton, and Callum Turner.

Gary Oldman recently claimed "they have picked" the next Bond, backing his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden for the part.

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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy. 

A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre. 

In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.