Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan left many fans hanging in suspense after he appeared to flirt with the idea of reprising his role as 007. The Irish actor, who celebrates his 71st birthday tomorrow (May 16), entranced an entire generation of Bond fans from the mid-1990s after making his debut in GoldenEye in 1995.
He would later appear as the fictional MI6 super spy in three further films over the next seven years, after which Daniel Craig replaced him in 2006’s Casino Royale.
His post-Bond career flourished and his turn as 007 is still remembered fondly by fans and critics alike.
Now more than two decades on since he relinquished his licence to kill, Pierce appears to have said “never say never again” after he hinted at being “interested” in playing a role in a future James Bond film.
In a recent interview with GQ magazine, he was asked his thoughts on still being linked to the franchise and of fans wanting to see him return as James Bond.
When asked: “Are you aware of that? Would you be interested in it?”, Pierce answered: “Of course, how could I not be interested?”
However, any hopes of his 007 coming out of retirement were dashed by the rest of his answer. Pierce later confirmed: “But it’s a delicate situation now. I think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie, really. I think so.
“It’s a rather romantic notion and idea, but I think everything changes, everything falls apart. I think that it’s best left to another man, really. Fresh blood.”
His answer did little to quieten the mood among the Bond faithful, who flocked to Reddit in their droves to give their take on his answers and whether they would love to see him “live twice” as 007.
On the r/JamesBond Reddit board, one superfan declared: “Brosnan deserves the *chefs kiss* send off he never got. He will always be my Bond.”
Another devotee expressed a similar sentiment by adding: “I’d love to see him back. Somehow, despite being obviously older now, Brosnan seems cooler than ever. LFG!!”
A third person said: “Pierce never got his real farewell bond movie because they jumped on Casino Royale. It would be interesting if Pierce came back and did the bond movie that never say never was supposed to be. And give him his long overdue swan song.”
Speculation about who would become the next James Bond hit fever pitch in recent months following news that Amazon finally received creative control of the franchise from EON Productions, the family business which has produced every single Bond film since 1962’s Dr No.
Following the deal, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ran a poll on X asking people who they wanted to become the new Bond following Daniel Craig’s 2021 swansong No Time To Die.
The reaction there was mixed, with people suggesting Henry Cavill, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy and James McAvoy.
With the Amazon deal fresh in the minds of Pierce’s fans, some of them even suggested possible storylines and other stars who they would like to return to the 007 fold.
One person said: “I think he could totally pull it off as long as they don’t try to pair him up with a 25-year-old.”
Another Redditor suggested: “Bring back [Dame] Judi Dench and Colin Salmon and John Cleese to send old man Brosnan on a mission.”
The three actors all played major characters during Pierce’s tenure as Bond between 1995’s GoldenEye and 2002’s Die Another Day.
However, some were of the opinion that Pierce should leave the “spectre” of Bond and give the role to someone else. One particular voice suggested: “Read what he says. It’s a funny/romantic idea but let it be with that.
“Brosnan knows the history about Bond actors who’s either getting too old while they have the role as Bond (Roger Moore) or as Connery who returned to the character much older after he had left it in twice occasions.”
And finally, one more commenter claimed: “For gods sake. The reason the movies lasted as long as they did was because they kept moving forwards, new actors new ideas. Going back to an old bond, or making movies set back in time is just admitting Bond isn’t a franchise that works in modern times any more.”