Pierce Brosnan has weighed in on ongoing speculation around the future of the James Bond franchise, voicing support for actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a potential replacement for Daniel Craig.
In a recent interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Brosnan reflected on Taylor-Johnson’s past performance and presence on set. The two previously worked together on the 2009 drama The Greatest, where Taylor-Johnson played a leading role.
“I think he would be very good,” Brosnan said. “I cast him in one of the movies I made a long time ago called The Greatest, actually. And he played ‘the greatest.’ This young man came on the set and took the space, filled the space with passion and energy.”
Brosnan added that Taylor-Johnson has the qualities necessary to take on the role of 007. “If he wished it, wanted it and got it, he would be great.”
Taylor-Johnson, 33, has appeared in a variety of projects, including Kick-Ass, Anna Karenina, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tenet, and Bullet Train. He has also taken on leading roles in upcoming projects such as Kraven the Hunter, expected later this year.
Speculation around who will be selected as the next James Bond has continued since Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die, released in 2021. While there has been no official announcement regarding the next actor to take on the role, Taylor-Johnson has frequently been named among the possible contenders.
Brosnan held the role of James Bond from 1995 to 2002, starring in four films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. His portrayal followed Timothy Dalton’s run in the late 1980s and preceded Daniel Craig’s tenure, which began with Casino Royale in 2006.
In recent years, casting rumors have included a wide range of British actors, with no confirmation from franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Amazon MGM Studios, which now oversees the Bond catalog and future development, has not released details about the direction or timeline for the next installment.
Seth Abramovitch of The Hollywood Reporter previously speculated that the next Bond would be an English actor familiar to audiences, though not widely recognizable. He named The Crown’s Josh O’Connor as a possible fit based on the franchise’s past casting approach. No formal connection between O’Connor and the franchise has been confirmed.
Brosnan’s remarks come as interest in the next phase of the Bond series remains steady. While fans continue to await official word, Taylor-Johnson has yet to address the speculation directly.
