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Pierce Brosnan wishes new 007 well as bosses play down Idris Elba rumours

Pierce Brosnan as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in a promotional still for 2002's Die Another Day. (EON/MGM)
Pierce Brosnan was 007 in four movies. (EON/MGM)

Ex-007 Pierce Brosnan has said he doesn’t care who the next James Bond is, as bosses appeared to play down rumours it would be Idris Elba.

Speculation about the new Bond has been rife since Daniel Craig announced he was vacating the role.

Luther star Elba was thought to be a real contender to play the suave spy but in a recent interview suggested that he didn’t see 007 when he looked in the mirror.

Read more: Piers Morgan slams prospect of a female Bond, saying: 'Back off our 007'

Producer Barbara Broccoli has now told Variety they “love” Elba but noted that Bond was a 10-12 year commitment and that “not everybody wants to do that”.

Idris Elba speaking at a special screening of Beast at the Hackney Picturehouse in London. Picture date: Wednesday August 24, 2022.
Idris Elba is thought to be in the running to be 007. (PA)

Brosnan – who played the famous spy in four films from 1995 to 2002 – said he was "interested” to see who was picked to slip into the secret agent’s tux.

“Who should do it?” he said to British GQ.

“I don’t care, it’ll be interesting to see who they get, who the man shall be, whoever he be, I wish him well.”

The 69-year-old starred in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and 2002’s Die Another Day, which was his last outing as the spy.

He said of the James Bond films: “I saw the last one, and I saw Skyfall, I love Skyfall.

Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in No Time To Die. (Universal/MGM/YouTube)
Daniel Craig has bowed out as Bond. (Universal/MGM/YouTube)

“I’m not too sure about the last one.

"Daniel always gives of his heart. Very courageous, very strong. But…”

Craig starred in five Bond films, starting with 2006’s Casino Royale. His fifth and final outing as the character was in last year’s No Time To Die.

Read more: James Corden jokes he wants to be Bond as he recreates 007 films with Daniel Craig

The October issue of British GQ is available on digital download and newsstands from 27 September.

Additional reporting from PA.

Watch: The Queen meets James Bond during the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony