Taron Egerton, the renowned 35-year-old Kingsman actor, recently expressed his views on the ongoing buzz regarding the next James Bond and clarified his stance on potentially stepping into the iconic role. In a recent interview, Egerton said, "I don't think I'm the right person for the James Bond role. But I think I wouldn't be good at it, and I think there are so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably," according to Variety.

Egerton elaborated on his affection for the legendary franchise, particularly admiring Daniel Craig's portrayal of the sophisticated British spy. However, he admitted a personal disconnect with the role, saying, "I love the James Bond franchise, especially Daniel Craig's tenure. But I feel I am 'too messy' to star as the polished super spy," as reported by Variety.

With the first James Bond film since Amazon MGM's acquisition of the intellectual property in progress, Denis Villeneuve has been slated as the director, according to a report by Deadline. Amazon reportedly seeks a British actor under 30 for this new chapter, with names like Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, and Harris Dickinson leading the speculation, according to Just Jared.

Egerton humorously noted that nobody officially approached him for the role, remarking, "James Bond is quite an undertaking and I think, one, as far as I'm aware, nobody's asking me to do it," according to Deadline. When questioned by Collider about auditioning for the role, he replied, "No. And I don't think I'm a good choice for it. I think I'm too messy for that."

Despite his experience in the spy genre as the lead in Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman series, Egerton shared that playing James Bond at this stage of his career might not align with his interests. He acknowledged that the role would be quite an undertaking given his desire to explore different roles and new creative opportunities. "As far as I'm aware, nobody's asking me to do it," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "But also, it's possibly not quite the thing that would make me happiest," admitting that the role "kind of consumes your life."

Egerton is currently busy promoting his latest project, the crime thriller She Rides Shotgun, and shared his openness to engaging in something "more commercial" down the line. Meanwhile, the James Bond franchise is planning for a prospective release date in 2028, giving ample time for casting and production, as noted by Just Jared.

While rumors continue to swirl about who might succeed Daniel Craig, Amazon MGM Studios has announced the hunt for the next Bond. Any actor stepping into the role should expect a long-term commitment, with Egerton adding, "[Bond] is a bit like being a brand ambassador as well as being an actor. And that could be really fun in microcosm, but I'm sure I read that Barbara Broccoli said that it's a 15-year commitment," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The list of potential candidates for the role is varied, and though Jacob Elordi is Australian, it does not appear to be a dealbreaker for the casting, as indicated by Variety. Egerton's comments reflect his personal resonance with the role and a graceful step back, opting to advocate for emerging talent who could bring something fresh to the legacy of James Bond.

Originally published on Latin Times

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Amazon, Film, 007