James Bond's Pierce Brosnan backs Aaron Taylor-Johnson for 007

pierce brosnan as james bond
James Bond star backs Aaron Taylor-Johnson for 007Getty Images

Pierce Brosnan has shared his thoughts on Aaron Taylor-Johnson being tipped to become the next James Bond.

The Irish actor, known for playing the spy created by Ian Fleming between 1995 and 2002, has heard the rumours and given the Kick-Ass star his stamp of approval.

"I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so," Brosnan told The Ray D'Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

If Taylor-Johnson were to accept the role, he would take over from Daniel Craig, who bowed out in 2021's No Time To Die.

pierce brosnan
Kate Green / Stringer - Getty Images

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Brosnan also looked back on sharing the frame with the Bullet Train actor in 2009 drama The Greatest, co-produced by Brosnan's production company Irish DreamTime.

"Ironically, [Taylor-Johnson] was in one of the movies that I made," Brosnan said.

"You mentioned Beau Marie St Clair, she was my late producing partner. We formed a company called Irish DreamTime and made movies like The Thomas Crown Affair and Evelyn.

"One of the first movies we made, one of our earliest movies, was The Greatest – and he was in it. He was The Greatest in it. It's a lovely movie with Aaron and Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon and myself.

He concluded: "So yes, I read the news about his possibilities of being a Bond, so I would definitely tip my hat to the fellow."

kyoto, japan august 23 aaron taylor johnson attends the bullet train stage greeting at toho cinemas kyoto on august 23, 2022 in kyoto, japan photo by jun satowireimage
Jun Sato - Getty Images

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Reflecting on the collective frenzy to find out who the next James Bond will be, Brosnan described the coveted role as "a gift that keeps giving".

"There's always been a deep fascination and curiosity and ownership from the audience of who shall be James Bond. And it's generational – it's been passed on," he said.

As for whether he has a word of advice for Taylor-Johnson, Brosnan shared: "Be bold. Go out there, have a great time. Just love it. Just go for it."

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