Washington DC [US], June 29: British actor Henry Golding has opened up about the possibility of playing James Bond in the upcoming film directed by Denis Villeneuve, calling it a “nightmare” for actors, as reported by People.
Golding, known for his performances in The Gentlemen, Crazy Rich Asians, and A Simple Favor, shared his thoughts during the red carpet premiere of The Old Guard 2 in Los Angeles.
“I think that’s every actor’s kind of nightmare,” Golding said, referring to the immense pressure tied to the iconic role of the martini-sipping British spy.
While expressing admiration for the franchise, Golding proposed introducing more “agents” or “OO” operatives to bring freshness and flexibility to the series. “Why can’t they bring out more agents or more OO’s? I think that would be so much more fun because there just isn’t the restraint and the expectation,” he said.
Despite his reservations, Golding admitted his hesitation might stem from the “overhanging cultural pressure” that comes with portraying such an iconic figure. “Maybe I’m just a pu***. I don’t know. But I think I would love it so much more if there wasn’t that overhanging cultural pressure,” he added candidly.
According to Variety, Golding remains one of the potential contenders to replace Daniel Craig, who last portrayed Bond in No Time to Die (2021). Previous actors who stepped into the legendary role include George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and the original Bond, Sean Connery.
James Bond was created by British author Ian Fleming in 1953, with the first film adaptation, Dr. No, releasing in 1962.
On June 25, Amazon MGM Studios announced that acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the upcoming Bond film, with Tanya Lapointe joining as executive producer, Variety reported.