Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has said while he thinks it’s unlikely there will be a gay 007 just yet, he would like to see Idris Elba become the first black actor to take on the big screen role.
The Irish actor said he wouldn’t totally rule out a gay Bond, telling Details magazine: “Sure. Why not?”
But he added he wasn’t expecting it to happen after Daniel Craig steps down.
“Actually, I don’t know how it would work,” he admitted.
“I don’t think Barbara [Broccoli, the James Bond producer] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime. But it would certainly make for interesting viewing.”
The actor, who played the Secret Service agent in four films – GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day – between 1995 and 2002, does however think it’s time for more diversity in the role.
He told the magazine: “Let’s start with a great black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel [Craig] will be there for a while yet.”
Pierce’s next role is in action thriller No Escape, which is in UK cinemas from September 4.
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