Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan has issued words of caution to the future 007 while discussing his career in the role, a potential return and speculation on who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role.
The 71-year-old Irish actor starred in the iconic role for five films between 1995 and 2002.
Brosnan first strutted onto screens as Bond in Goldeneye, which many credit with reviving the franchise following a long break after Timothy Dalton’s stint.
Despite a divisive finale with Die Another Die, the actor reflected warmly on his time while appearing on The Jonathan Ross show this weekend.
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“(Bond) he’s with me for life. It was great. A magical time in my life,” Brosnan began.
The actor said the role “opened a lot of doors” for him and allowed him more creative freedom in taking roles.
However, he added being Bond was not an easy gig.
“You live with the injuries… Playing that role you will get hurt, there’s no question about it. You have to have stamina,” the 71-year-old warned.
To provide an example, Brosnan recalled the “pretty impressive” bullet boat chase in the opening moments of The World Is Not Enough.
He remembered saying goodbye to his wife and children, being provided with two oxygen tanks and “strapped in double, double”.
“They said, ‘If you flip, you’re going to go to the hospital to have your stomach pumped.’ That was memorable,” the actor added grimly.
Even with the precautions, Borson revealed he was still seriously injured during the stunt.
“(The boat) goes off the river into a restaurant, drives into a restaurant, wood sliced my face open. So, went off to the hospital, stitched up,” he detailed.
Even still, the Irishman did not rule out a potential return to the franchise as an older Bond figure.
“No-one’s spoken to me about it. I’ve heard all of the rumours. Listen, they know where to find me. Let’s see where the wind takes us,” he teased.
However, regarding who will replace Daniel Craig as the iconic spy – Brosnan conceded that would be “another man’s job”.
“I’m not looking to go there. I’m quite happy with my career. I’ve done it, it was wonderful. Delightful kind of notion to contemplate,” he glowed.
Even still, the former Bond could not resist opining on Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s suitability for the role, who remains among the bookies favourites to swoop the role.
“I think he would make a very fine Bond,” he revealed
Remembering working alongside a young Taylor-Johnson, Brosnan reflected: “He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence… so he would be good. But there’s many men on the list I’m sure.”