'Let's start with a great black actor being Bond': Pierce Brosnan claims producers won't 'allow' a gay 007 but backs Idris Elba to take over from Daniel Craig
PUBLISHED: 22:10, 25 August 2015 | UPDATED: 22:30, 25 August 2015
There's been mounting speculation about who will take over from Daniel Craig as Bond, when his contract is up in two films time.
And as fans and movie buffs speculate about the future 007, one past Bond has given his views, with Pierce Brosnan admitting that a complete shake-up could be what the series needs.
Pierce, who starred in four Bond movies from 1995 to 2002, has backed the possibility of a gay 007, but admits he would love to see a black actor take on the role next.
Scroll down for video
The future of 007: Pierce Brosnan, who starred in four Bond movies from 1995 to 2002, has backed the possibility of a gay 007, but admits he would love to see a black actor take on the role next
Speaking to Details Magazine, the Irish actor was asked if he could picture a gay Bond, and he readily agreed that it was a move he'd love to see the franchise make.
'Sure. Why not?' Brosnan said, but after a moment mused that perhaps the talent behind the scenes wouldn't be quite so keen. 'Actually, I don't know how it would work. I don't think Barbara [Broccoli, the Bond producer] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime,' he claimed. 'But it would certainly make for interesting viewing.'
Pierce, 62, was keen to back one of the leading names thought to be in the running to take over from Craig, who is under contract for one more film after 2015's Spectre, adding: 'Let's start with a great black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel will be there for a while yet.'
Support: The actor says he'd be keen to see Idris Elba take over from Daniel Craig once his contract is up
Pierce was the fifth actor to play the secret agent when he was cast in Goldeneye in 1994. Daniel meanwhile has so far starred in three 007 movies, with his latest Spectre, hitting cinemas this November.
Daniel has been upfront about his desire to leave the franchise, even admitting way back in 2012 that he was close to getting out of his contract before Skyfall was made.
Director Sam Mendes has already admitted that Spectre is likely to be his last, after changing his mind about quitting after Skyfall, but fans should be assured that Daniel at least is under contract for one more film.
Pierce has enjoyed big screen success since leaving the hit franchise over ten years ago, with his latest thriller No Escape hitting cinemas this week.
Quitting? Daniel has been upfront about his desire to leave the franchise, even admitting way back in 2012 that he was close to getting out of his contract before Skyfall was made
Favourite with the ladies: While Pierce fully supports a gay 007, he admits he's unsure if producers would ever let it happen
He may have played Bond four times, but the actor has admitted he turned down the chance to lead another huge movie franchise, explaining to Details that he said no to starring in Tim Burton's Batman films in the late 80s and early 90s, which eventually cast Michael Keaton.
'It was the beginning of these huge movies, and I just thought, Batman?' he said.
'Batman held such an indelible place in my own childhood, but I said something flippant to Tim Burton like, "Any guy who wears his underpants outside his trousers cannot be taken seriously." So, yeah.'
New roles: Pierce has enjoyed big screen success since leaving the hit franchise over ten years ago, with his latest thriller No Escape hitting cinemas this week
Promo trail: The star has been busy promoting his new film, stopping by the Today show in NYC on Tuesday
No to the tights: He may have played Bond four times, but the actor has admitted he turned down the chance to lead another huge movie franchise - Batman
Pierce Brosnan attempts the weather forecast on Today
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
00:00
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3210739/Pierce-Brosnan-claims-producers-won-t-allow-gay-007-backs-Idris-Elba-Daniel-Craig.html#ixzz3jrlwYyDs
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
