Pierce Brosnan has backtracked on his earlier support for a female James Bond, now insisting the role “has to be a man.”
The Irish star, 72, who played 007 in four films between 1995 and 2002, previously said he would welcome a woman taking on the part.
But in a new interview, he U-turned on those remarks, adding that he is “excited” to see “the next man” step into the iconic tuxedo.
Brosnan also wished Amazon well as it continues its stewardship of the franchise.
His comments come as speculation continues over who will replace Daniel Craig, who retired from the role in 2021’s No Time to Die.
British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently seen as the frontrunner to inherit the role.
Previously, the Mrs Doubtfire actor threw his support behind a female bond when asked by The Hollywood Reporter in 2019.
He said: “Yes! I think we’ve watched the guys do it for the last 40 years. Get out of the way, guys, and put a woman up there.”
Now, the actor backtracked on his earlier comments and said the next portrayal of Bond should be a man: “Oh, I think it has to be a man.”
He told Saga Magazine: “I wish (Amazon) them well. I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character.
“I adore the world of James Bond. It’s been very good to me. It’s the gift that keeps giving. And I’m just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: ‘Show us what you’re going to do’.”
His Thursday Murder Club co-star Dame Helen Mirren also agreed, saying while she is a feminist the next James Bond “has to be a guy”.
The Oscar-winning actress told the outlet: “I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work.
“James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”
The 80-year-old stars as a retired spy and founder of the club in the upcoming Thursday Murder Club film with Brosnan, a cosy crime drama adapted from Richard Osman’s bestselling novel.
Speaking about her character Elizabeth, she told the outlet: “So many women have worked in that world. She’s a manifestation of a reality, that’s for sure.”
Asked if she is a better portrayal of a spy than Bond, Dame Helen said: “More realistic. But not so much fun as Bond!”
The Mobland star added: “The great thing about a movie like this is that it reminds everyone, as an older person I have a brain, I have agency, energy, commitment, passion and intellect. It doesn’t all stop when you’re 40.”
Her comments come after she recently argued that the character should stay male, suggesting women deserve new leading roles rather than reworks of existing ones.
Dame Helen previously told the Standard that “the whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism” and added: “Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been.”
It comes after Amazon MGM Studios, which has taken creative control over the 007 character, revealed last month that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would be writing the script for the next film while Denis Villeneuve will direct.
You can read the full interview in Saga Magazine’s September issue.
