Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond reached an end with No Time to Die, and while there have been plenty of rumours about who will play the next 007, nothing has been confirmed. We'd like to think an announcement is imminent, especially if MGM hopes to get a new movie into theaters by 2025, but the franchise's producers don't appear to be in any real rush.
One actor who remains a fan-favourite choice to play Ian Fleming's iconic creation is Kingsman star Taron Egerton.
Doing the rounds to promote Apple TV+'s upcoming Tetris movie, the Welsh actor was asked by Games Radar+ whether there's any truth to the rumours he will be picking up where Craig left off.
"I mean, I think they've already got someone, and it's not me," he started. Asked if those comments are based on fact or instinct, he suggested it was the latter. "Yeah. I mean, I've never been a part of the conversations. I've never met the Broccolis. They've never enquired about me."
"I've just never been one of the guys that they're looking at. I just don't think I'm the right person for that," Egerton continues. "I think there's much, much, much better candidates for that role than me. But, you know, I'd be a very willing audience member. They're brilliant films."
Is Egerton protesting a little too much here? He'd certainly be a fitting choice for Bond, but Avengers: Age of Ultron star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is thought to be the current frontrunner and may have already been cast.
Last year, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson said they were looking to find an actor willing to commit to the role for the long haul. The latter later followed up by making it clear that while they're not planning to cast a considerably younger actor as the new 007, they would like whoever is cast to play the iconic spy for a decade or more.
Do you think Egerton would make a good Bond?